Ballynahinch, County Galway Ballynahinch, County Galway Ballynahinch or Ballinahinch () is situated close to Recess in County Galway in the west of Ireland, on the road from Recess to Roundstone. It also lies on the route of the former railway line from Galway city to Clifden (the "Capital of Connemara"). The name comes from the Irish "Baile na hInse" meaning "settlement of the island". Ballynahinch Castle, built in the 17th century for the Martyn family, one of whose better-known members was 'Humanity Dick' founder of the RSPCA, has been used as a hotel since 1946. The Castle was originally built in about 1684
Castlegar, County Galway Because there were so many castles in the parish, the distance between them was very short, so some have suggested that this could be an alternative source of the name. Parts of the parish, most notably Carrabrowne, Ballindooley and Menlo, were until recently, strongholds of the Irish language. But with recent development of the area, and the influx of non-native speakers, the use of Irish is very much reduced. Emigrants from Ireland went to British Columbia and named a place there after it:Castlegar, British Columbia. Ó Laoi, Padraic. "History of Castlegar Parish". 1996 Castlegar, County Galway Castlegar ("An Caisleán Gearr")