Not to be confused with the better known Ballybeen in Dundonald Civil Parish. This Ballybeen is West of Moneyreagh and similar in size to its Northern neighbour, Ballyalloly, Ballybeen is around 2 thirds of a square mile or 421 acres.
Ballybeen or Baile Bín/Ben, with two potential translations Bínn or Bínne meaning sweet, melodious or harmonius or 'benn' meaning peak, summit or pinnacle and horn/antler. With no mountains or hills nearby, perhaps a 'Place of Harmony' or 'Place of the antler' may prove more likely.
There are no archaeological sites recorded in Ballybeen but there are two B2 listed structures the gatescreen and gate lodge of Ballybeen House, both built between 1834-1858 (pictured left: Google Streetview 2008). The original Ballybeen House is believed to have been built in the second half of eighteenth century (1750-1799) by the Birch Family. The Birch family have had a long association with the area, with a Memorial to James Birch of Ballybeen who died in 1859 in St Marys Parish church. Indeed, two relatives of James were ministers at St Mary's. Rev George Birch who was rector 1799-1827 and succeeded by his son Rev. George Watson Birch 1827-1830, when he died at only 30 years of age.
The Ballybeen estate remained in the Birch Family's possession until on the 3rd July 1903, Ballybeen House burned to the ground, while its owner, George Birch, was thankfully abroad. The house was rebuilt and still stands today, although no longer owned by the Birch family. During the Second World War, there was a military camp at Ballybeen, which hosted American GI's who would often attend dances in Moneyreagh and Ballygowan.
No sign of the camp remains today, but two H-shaped buildings can be seen on this post-war ordnance survey maps (above), likely to be ammunition stores based on their shape.
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