Hackballscross (Irish: Crois an Mhaoir)[1] is a small village in County Louth, Ireland. It is located primarily on the N53 road.[2]

Hackballscross
Crois an Mhaoir
Village
The N53 at Hackballs Cross
The N53 at Hackballs Cross
Hackballscross is located in Ireland
Hackballscross
Hackballscross
Location in Ireland
Coordinates: 54°01′54″N 6°31′30″W / 54.031599°N 6.524894°W / 54.031599; -6.524894
CountryIreland
ProvinceLeinster
CountyLouth
Elevation
68 m (223 ft)
Time zoneUTC+0 (WET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-1 (IST (WEST))
Irish Grid ReferenceH96720 10138

Etymology

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The origins of the village's unusual name are uncertain; legend has it that a local 18th century landowner hacked thieves or rebels disturbing his property to death. This notorious incident supposedly became the basis of the area's name.[3]

History

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On 27 June 2011, the Irish Army conducted a controlled explosion in Hackballscross on explosives suspected to be created by dissident republicans to conduct terrorist attacks in Northern Ireland. 100 kilograms (220 lbs) of homemade explosives and 120 kilograms (265 lbs) of pure ammonium nitrate were found.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Crois an Mhaoir / Hackballs Cross". logainm.ie. Irish Placenames Commission. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Roads Act 1993 (Classification of National Roads) Order 2006" (PDF). Department of Transport. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  3. ^ O'Shea, James. "Hackballscross and other Irish towns could run into Facebook bans". IrishCentral. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Hackballscross, County Louth raid 'prevented NI bomb'". BBC News. Retrieved 22 April 2018.