Ballygallum

Ballygallum is a townland, south of Downpatrick in County Down, Northern Ireland. The townland is approximately in area. It is situated in the civil parish of Bright and the historic barony of Lecale Upper.

History

Ballygallum was recorded as Ballyogalme in 1549, Balliogalline in 1603, and Ballygallin alias Ballygallind in 1632. While the final element of the name might suggest a derivation from the Irish word gallán, meaning "standing stone" or "pillar stone", linguistic and historical evidence indicates that the name more likely originates from a surname. The most plausible interpretation is Baile Ó gColaim, meaning "townland of the O’Colms". The surname Ó Colaim is considered a variant of Mac Colaim, which is described by Woulfe as an Ulster surname predominantly found in the counties of Antrim, Tyrone, and Donegal.

Geography

Townlands that border Ballygallum include:

Ballyclander Lower to the east
Ballyclander Upper to the east
Ballymote Lower to the west
Ballywarren to the north
Coniamstown to the south
Grangewalls to the south
Grangicam to the west