Today’s townland is Ballyfrenis, near Millisle in County Down.

I found Ballyfrenis by chance, when I was visiting the Eden Pottery in the neighbouring townland of Grangee.  After drinking Eden’s tea and buying their bowls, I took a walk along Abbey Road and Islandhill Road and admired the cattle and the scenery.

I often photograph gates and fences for this blog.  This is the best one yet: the people who live in Ballyfrenis really love the place.

However, they don’t make it easy to find their church – I had to drive to the village of Carrowdore to find this sign.  The explanation is that the two congregations merged in 1932.  For more of the history, and a photograph of the old church building at Ballyfrenis, click here to read Mark Thompson’s website Bloggin fae the Burn.

According to the PLACENAMESNI website, the “frenis” part of the townland name is probably a surname and, given the strong influence of the Anglo-Normans in this part of North Down, could well be a corruption of the surname French.

more information

Which county is Ballyfrenis in?  County Down

Which civil parish is Ballyfrenis in?  Donaghadee

Which townlands border Ballyfrenis?   To the north, Ballybuttle and Ballymacruise.   To the east, Ballyrolly and Drumfad.  To the south, Ballyrawer and Grangee.  To the west, Islandhill.

Click here for a map of Ballyfrenis on Townlands.IE.

Click here for a link to a 19th century map of Ballyfrenis on the website of Ordnance Survey Ireland.

And finally, click here to read about the townland’s name on my usual source – PLACENAMESNI.ORG.