Baltray
{{short description|Village in County Louth, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Baltray
|native_name = {{lang|ga|Baile Trá}}
|native_name_lang = ga
|settlement_type = Village
|image_skyline = Thatched cottage at Baltray, Co. Louth - geograph.org.uk - 840853.jpg
|image_caption = Restored thatched cottage in Baltray
|pushpin_map = Ireland
|pushpin_label_position = right
|pushpin_map_caption = Location in Ireland
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Ireland
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = Leinster
|subdivision_type3 = County
|subdivision_name3 = County Louth
|established_title =
|established_date =
|unit_pref = Metric
|area_footnotes =
|area_total_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2016
|population = 132
|population_density_km2 = auto
|coordinates = {{coord|53|44|N|6|16|W|region:IE_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes =
|elevation_m =
|website =
|footnotes =
}}
File:Standing Stones at Baltray - geograph.org.uk - 796122.jpg
File:Wreck on Baltray strand - geograph.org.uk - 840812.jpg
Baltray (historically Ballytra, from {{Irish place name|Baile Trá|town of the beach}}){{cite web|url = https://www.logainm.ie/132339.aspx | publisher = Placenames Database of Ireland | website = logainm.ie | title = Baile Trá / Baltray (see archival records) | accessdate = 6 February 2020 }} is a village and townland in County Louth, Ireland. It sits on the northern shore of the River Boyne estuary.
Amenities
The village has developed since the latter half of the twentieth century as a dormitory village serving the nearby town of Drogheda,{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}} which is located inland, to the west of Baltray. Baltray has a public house.
Baltray is home to the County Louth Golf Club.{{cite web| url = http://www.countylouthgolfclub.com/ | publisher = County Louth Golf Club | website = countylouthgolfclub.com | accessdate = 6 February 2020 | title = County Louth Golf Club, Baltray }} This links course has hosted several championships over its history, including the Irish Open in 2004 and 2009.
The area is also known for the "Baltray standing stones", a group of megaliths.{{Cite web|url=http://www.megalithicireland.com/Baltray.htm|title=Baltray Stone Alignment|website=megalithicireland.com| publisher = Megalithic Ireland | access-date=1 August 2017}}
Transport
Bus Éireann route 168 serves Baltray several times a day linking it to Drogheda, Duleek, Ashbourne, Termonfeckin and Clogherhead.{{cite web|url = https://www.buseireann.ie/timetables/168-1702486627.pdf | website = buseireann.ie | title = Route 168 - Dundalk to Drogheda via Termonfeckin | accessdate = 10 September 2024 }}{{Cite web|url=http://buseireann.ie/news.php?id=1395&month=Nov|publisher=Bus Éireann |title = News - Planned Revision to Route 189/189A Ashbourne-Drogheda -Clogher Head-Grangebellow service |website=buseireann.ie|language=en|access-date=1 August 2017}} Drogheda railway station is approximately 8 km distant.
Conservation
Baltray is home to the Little Tern Conservation Project which is run by Louth Nature Trust.{{cite web|url = http://www.louthnaturetrust.org/ | publisher = | website = louthnaturetrust.org | title = Louth Nature Trust | accessdate = 6 February 2020 | quote = Louth Nature Trust’s objectives include [..] Managing the Little Tern Conservation Project at Baltray}} The project began in 2007 and runs each year from May to August when part of the beach at the Haven is fenced to protect nesting Little Terns. These birds are an Annex 1 species under the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), thus EU member states are required to take special conservation measures to ensure that little terns remain at a favourable conservation status.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{County Louth}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Towns and villages in County Louth
Category:Townlands of County Louth
{{Louth-geo-stub}}