To people living in Ballybane

WooPeeA

I'm thinking about moving there. I found very nice place for reasonable price and it's really hard to refuse it. Just wanted to ask how is the safety like there? Many scumbags in the area? It's close to SuperValue.

BrokenArrows

don't live there anymore but used to.

I never had any major problems in the area but id have to say its not the best of areas in galway by a long shot.

WooPeeA

Why not? Did you witness any accidents? At the moment I live at Prospect Hill, looking for some quiet place in the east of the city. Found this nice apartment and just can't refuse it.

ronnie3585

Ballybane would have a pretty bad reputation. I've never lived there so I've no personal experience of it.

I lived there for 4 years and had no problems tbh.

In certain areas youths do gather drinking at night alright, so maybe do your homework before committing to anything.

VanhireBoys

I lived close to Castlepark near McGreals Shop for 3 years and never had any bother in fairness. You would see the odd caracter and a sometimes a bit of noise at night but nobody ever gave me any grief. If you keep a low profile and dont have anything of value sitting about you will be grand...! As said earlier do your homework first....!

biko

I lived there a while, also close to McGreals. Never a bother but a camera was stolen from the house through an open window.
Had to turn down a few "you got a spare smoke mister?"

Dodgy for Galway but light years from to Dublin or Limerick. I could live there again.

WooPeeA

Thanks guys. The flat is located close to SuperValue, just cross the road, 2 minutes deep in the neighbourhood. I've been there yesterday around 11PM and it was very quiet comparing to the city center.

masonman

Magnus wrote: »

Dodgy for Galway but light years from to Dublin or Limerick. I could live there again.

For sure, I moved to the area from Dublin a few years ago. When I told people I live there, I always got a smile and a "Smart" comment about it being a rough area Blah Blah. I could never understand what the fuss was about. Yeah you do have some Characters knocking round from time to time but it ain't a patch on certain areas I lived in in Dublin. Amenties-wise its good and location is not too far from town, gym, shops, wellpark etc.

You do get some undesireables hanging around Supervalu, they seem to make it their life's work hassling the security guard for some reason.

Like anywhere really, you just ignore them and everyones happy.

Just a tip, if you do decide to take it, best Bus to town is from the Mervue Shops ( Not too far from where you'll be), on the half hour, runs as close to clockwork as you'll get in Galway

WooPeeA

Is there any chance to get to Brianhill from there by the bus?

Das Kitty

I think the Briarhill bus goes up Ballybrit and there's a bustop just around the corner.

It's only about 15mins on a bike actually from Ballybane.

You'll get a few scumbaggy kids and teenagers around there, but nothing dangerous really. None of your stabby stabby types anyway from what I know from living in Mervue most of my life (Never burgled once in 21 years). The scumbaggy kids can be great craic if you get on the right side of them, they love a bit of banter.

I used to live in Bohermore too and location aside I'd prefer to live in Ballybane, at least you only get the old salts out there, not the idiot drunks, irritating tourists you get in town.

masonman

WooPeeA wrote: »

Is there any chance to get to Brianhill from there by the bus?

There is, the number 9 I think - but you could be waiting on it as it starts its journey in Eyre square opposite O'Connells Pub. Its about a 20 Min walk to Briarhill from Ballybane, a bike may be a good option.

WooPeeA

masonman wrote: »

There is, the number 9 I think - but you could be waiting on it as it starts its journey in Eyre square opposite O'Connells Pub. Its about a 20 Min walk to Briarhill from Ballybane, a bike may be a good option.

No. 9 uses Dublin Road, I'm closer to Monivea Rd, I saw some bus stop there, probably used by route 5E or 3.. Not quite sure about it.

Bike is really good option but when I look outside and see the weather like the one today I doubt that option.

MattKid

I do a fair bit of work up there with the youth, and I don't think it's that bad, people are friendlier than most places if you make the effort. I'm looking to get out of Oranmore and will be looking around the area myself.

WooPeeA

The area offers really good prices, MattKid. I'm gonna pay less than €500 for my double flat in surprisely good condition and brand new equipment inside.

I've seen similar apartments for that price in other parts of the town and they are far from perfection. One at Renmore had wet and smelly carpet, can't believe someone want to rent it....

fergiesfolly

You might want to find out if the local pub, "The Lantern" is reopening. Its been closed for a few years now and theres a rumour, its going to be opened before the races. In its day it was a scangers paradise and if it opens, will inevitably increase noise and traffic through the area late at night.

masonman

WooPeeA wrote: »

No. 9 uses Dublin Road, I'm closer to Monivea Rd, I saw some bus stop there, probably used by route 5E or 3.. Not quite sure about it.

Bike is really good option but when I look outside and see the weather like the one today I doubt that option.

I got the number wrong. the 3 is right. I was only on the Bus last night night - usually just look at the location and say "That'll do"

Heres the timetables: Read them - then ignore them


http://www.buseireann.ie/bubble.php?id=59#galway

I hear you about the Bike, The joys of living outside the big smoke eh?

WooPeeA

fergiesfolly wrote: »

You might want to find out if the local pub, "The Lantern" is reopening.

Where is this pub located? Is it somewhere in SuperValue/roundabout area?

LadyMayBelle

Grew up in Ballybane, and moved out just after all those new houses across from Supervalu went up..a lot can depend on which side of the road you are on, because Ard Aoibheann Drive/Heather Grove area is still Ballybane..The other side of the road, Rahylin Glebe, Clareview Park and those estates directly across for the lantern are grand, maybe a bit more of a rep for 'trouble' but really it's nowhere near as bad as the 'rep' it gets!

Great access to Supervalu, Xtravision, a takeway plus the added entertainment of the abusive banter between the young lads on bikes a the security guards in the shopping centre

No.3 serves the area as opposed to the Ballybane no5 bus...only in galway:)

LadyMayBelle

WooPeeA wrote: »

Where is this pub located? Is it somewhere in SuperValue/roundabout area?

It's in the same complex as the 'valu but has been closed for a long time. A lot of the travellers went there and held their functions there because many other places wouldn't allow them in. Think it was/is owned by that Val Hanley politician but AFAIK it's closed a long while now and will remain like that for now.

Xiney

The Lantern is attached to Supervalue's complex on the roundabout end. If it is reopening word is it's a rough spot.

I'd have no problem living in Ballybane to be honest, I currently live in Ballybrit close to McGreals so I'm not far in any case. It has a bad reputation, sure most times when someone is caught doing something in Galway they're "of XX Road, Ballybane" but I've never had a bit of bother myself in the area and the kids are all quite friendly, saying "Howya" to myself and himself when we go for walks. I expect when we take the pup out that way they'll like to meet him too, and I've nothing bad to say about dog lovers as a rule.

You certainly can't beat it for value. The number 3 bus stops at the Supervalue on the way into town, but not on the way to Briarhill so you're a bit stuck there I'm afraid. A bike and a couple of paniers is a great solution, that way you can get to Lidl as well (it's what I do!).

WooPeeA

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

The other side of the road, Rahylin Glebe, Clareview Park and those estates directly across for the lantern are grand, maybe a bit more of a rep for 'trouble' but really it's nowhere near as bad as the 'rep' it gets!

That's where I'm going to live. :eek:

WooPeeA

Xiney, I think no. 3 stops beside Brianhill isn't it? I saw that bus stopping out there few weeks ago.

LadyMayBelle

I know where you live...:)

What's the odds it's in my old home ahaha, ah great memories though, great location and convenient but as Xiney says, invest in a bike for reliability..

The no.3 bus stops at Monivea Road on it's way to Briarhill, so it's a very do-able option as it's only a five min walk from the stop to Rahylin Glebe, and of course the actual Ballybane one is in Rahylin Glebe so you're sorted methinks..

fergiesfolly

I'm not sure if the Lantern is still owned/operated by val hanley anymore and this rumour does the rounds from time to time, but it would be worth checking out. And in fairness to the travelling community, there were a lot of settled people causing trouble in there too. The place was just NASTY...

Das Kitty

That rumour is resurrected every so often to scare the crap outta the locals. It was such a dodgy place at night and in the day it was full of local alcoholics and their kids. Don't know why but sometimes they used to bring groups from the John Paul Centre down there for a drink.

Val Hanley, proprietor of the dodgiest pubs in Galway City.

Xiney

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

I know where you live...:)

What's the odds it's in my old home ahaha, ah great memories though, great location and convenient but as Xiney says, invest in a bike for reliability..

The no.3 bus stops at Monivea Road on it's way to Briarhill, so it's a very do-able option as it's only a five min walk from the stop to Rahylin Glebe, and of course the actual Ballybane one is in Rahylin Glebe so you're sorted methinks..

Yeah, it stops just around the eircom building on its way to briarhill. (Sorry, was confused as to which estate we were talking about, I think I know which one now)

But it's usually not on time at that stage in its journey. going into town it'd be ok, but you could probably walk it in less time than it would take waiting for the bloody thing on the way out (I'd wager)

tinofapples

Was reared in the area, parents still there. It's grand, yes there are dodgy characters and quite a few travellers especially in the estate across from The Lantern, can't think of the name of it. Anyway as someone said, most don't bother ya as long as you keep to yourself you'll be sound. Of course you could be unlucky, wrong place wrong time encounter with some gob****e but sure that can happen anywhere in the world.

Rahylin Glebe is grand, alot of the estate is now rented out. It's a gamble as to who your neighbours will be try and suss that out beforehand.

WooPeeA

It's hard to believe that there can be anywhere more dodgy characters than in Prospekt Hill / Bohermore where I live now..

Jugs82

Das Kitty wrote: »

Val Hanley, proprietor of the dodgiest pubs in Galway City.

In fairness, Murty Rabbittes is grand but ive never been in the Hanly Oaks over in Westside

LadyMayBelle

Das Kitty wrote: »

That rumour is resurrected every so often to scare the crap outta the locals. It was such a dodgy place at night and in the day it was full of local alcoholics and their kids. Don't know why but sometimes they used to bring groups from the John Paul Centre down there for a drink.

Val Hanley, proprietor of the dodgiest pubs in Galway City.

The reason the folk from the john paul centre used to head down was because they were always welcomed unlike other local places. not an eyelid was batted at the sometimes peculiar behaviour of the residents and it was great for them to go have a drink in their local without being stared at or encouraged to go sit in the back room.

Xiney

LadyPennyworth wrote: »

encouraged to go sit in the back room.

:eek:

well in that case, the Lantern was miles ahead of the rest of the pubs in Galway. Disgraceful.

rainbow kirby

I'm living there at the moment, rent is dirt cheap. I'm originally from close to Tallaght though, so pretty much anything seems LESS dodgy than that. :pac:

LadyMayBelle

Trust me Xiney I could tell you horror stories and start a name and shame thread! but back on topic, I hope ballybane is good for you OP!

gaeilgegrinds

It's honestly not that bad! I have quite a few friends well settled there. Just don't be seen as snobby or they'll not warm to you. Loads of old-school Galway families there.

sgthighway

Das Kitty wrote: »

Val Hanley, proprietor of the dodgiest pubs in Galway City.

Which Pub?

Ballybane is pretty big and is a mixture of private and council housing estates. A lot of people who purchased houses there in the 70 & 80s sold up about 9 years ago and moved out when there was good money for them. A lot of these houses were purchased by investors who rent them out to anybody. Some are rented via the HSE. Some are rented to settled travellers.

It is a very convient place to live. It has pubs, shops, schools, cycling distance to town. Most of the houses in Ballybane have gardens which is nice for some. There are plenty of green areas and cul de sacs so its a good spot for kids to play.

There are a small number of young little 5hits around the place especially around Xtravision/Supervalu and I can understand how some people may feel intemidated by them. None of that when Jim Brennan was the Community Guard.

I lived there when Rahylin Glebe was in the City and Clareview Park was in the County and after Clarview Park was nothing but fields and a place to go picking nuts.

I would not buy a house there because it doesn't have the neighbours it once had. The ones that looked after the place.

The Lantern was a good spot and I never heard of Travellers having a function there. It was to be taken over by the women running Grealishes but I heard that might be off the cards. It was owned by Dominic Lydon and I believe it is now owned by his son or wife. I'd have the Merlin over the Lantern.

redpanda26

I lived in Ballybane a couple of years ago when I was in College. I lived just beside the green across from supervalu. Rathlin glebe. We ended up living beside settled travellers which was a total nightmare. One of the girls we were in college with got her car broken into and she was only visiting our hse and my boyfriend was just living up the road and his house was broken into and everything of value, xbox, phones laptop etc was nicked. I wouldnt recommend the Rathlin glebe area but go a bit further to ballybrit or down towards merlin or renmore and there are some very nice houses in quiet areas that are reasonable in rent.

Xiney

Contents insurance is a must, so. And backing everything up to optical disk.

WooPeeA

redpanda26 wrote: »

I lived in Ballybane a couple of years ago when I was in College. I lived just beside the green across from supervalu. Rathlin glebe. We ended up living beside settled travellers which was a total nightmare. One of the girls we were in college with got her car broken into and she was only visiting our hse and my boyfriend was just living up the road and his house was broken into and everything of value, xbox, phones laptop etc was nicked. I wouldnt recommend the Rathlin glebe area but go a bit further to ballybrit or down towards merlin or renmore and there are some very nice houses in quiet areas that are reasonable in rent.

Did you find your stolen items after that? What was the result of investigation?

WooPeeA

And how about the area, like Rockland Avenue or McHugh Avenue?

sgthighway

WooPeeA wrote: »

And how about the area, like Rockland Avenue or McHugh Avenue?

McHugh Avenue would be very quiete and a nice place to live. I believe it was one of the few places in that side of Mervue not to get lead pipes for water. It would be a very quite road as it leads to a cul de sac. It faces onto the GAA pitch. The houses are old and a bit small but they have big back gardens.

Rockland Ave is divided into two rows of houses. It wouldn't even compare to living in McHugh Ave. It is used a lot for people taking shortcuts on foot. One end of it has settled travellers who always have horses, trailers and scrap all over the place.

Both streets would be the same distance to shops, pubs, and bus stops.

WooPeeA

sgthighway wrote: »

Rockland Ave is divided into two rows of houses. It wouldn't even compare to living in McHugh Ave. It is used a lot for people taking shortcuts on foot. One end of it has settled travellers who always have horses, trailers and scrap all over the place.

Which part of Rockland is worst, the one closer to the roundabout or the one on the other side of the grass that divides them?

I've been walking there yesterday, I've seen the closer part of Rockland Ave, I haven't seen any trailers, so maybe you're talking about the other part of Rockland, the one that is deeper in the neighborhood..

sgthighway

The side nearer to roundabout but its not actual people living in Rockland Ave; its the people living in the houses just oppposite the entrance to it. Surely you have seen the vans and cars parked all over the place. The City Council filled in a lot of the fields with rubble to keep out the horses. A lot of the individuals who hang around outside Supervalu live there.

Mr Cork Man

I always thought rahylin glebe was okay by ballybane standards.The main trouble spots are castle park and the estates behind the church sliabh rua,fana glass etc it's not as bad as the glen or knocknaheeny but it's rough enough all the same although westside is just as bad.

redpanda26

WooPeeA wrote: »

Did you find your stolen items after that? What was the result of investigation?

Nope the cops were called and everything but it didnt go any further than that. Id say most of the stuff was sold off. We think it was some of the local scumbag kids that you see around but sure we'l never know.:mad:

mikom

WooPeeA wrote: »

Which part of Rockland is worst, the one closer to the roundabout or the one on the other side of the grass that divides them?

This sort of thinking only works in the land of the shackled scumbag. I presume most of these guys have legs, bikes and cars to carry them across grass, footpaths, and estates.

Mrs OBumble

I'd have no probs living there myself, provided the house was ok.

But I have heard stories about employers who won't hire anyone with a Ballybane address, just on principle. Don't know how widespread that sort of "thinking" is.

geem

I've lived in some bad places and would consider Ballybane one of them. The end nearer Merlin Renmore seems okay.
A friend was stoned cycling through.
Best thing to do is walk around the place at night - before renting and check it out. Personally I wouldn't live there. The supervalue area is pretty rough and the shops around it seem to be dropping like flies.

WooPeeA

And how about the Docks area? I'm just curious about it.. I mean Docks Rd, Merchants Rd and the area around port.

Sponge Bob

That docks area is yuppieland unlike most of Ballybane . If you move east then move to Renmore instead of Ballybane.

LadyMayBelle

geem wrote: »

The supervalue area is pretty rough and the shops around it seem to be dropping like flies.

To be fair the shops in the that complex never last more than a few months/years and it's been like that for about twenty years.

Docks area? Nope. Lived there too. The apartments can be awful damp. Street cleaners early in the morning. Accessible for sure though. As already said, head Renmore direction...