Ballyporeen () is a village in County Tipperary, Ireland. The 2016 census recorded a village population of 318. Those stones may have been river deposits or dye stones left there by inhabitants from a cloth dyeing process.
Another theory is the original name got corrupted and ambiguated over time; a 1618 document referred to "Bealanporan", this and possible previous forms would alter its meaning. One respected historian believed 'Powers-town' was the correct translation of its origins. An Anglo-Norman family called Power did have connections with the area.
History
The birth period of Ballyporeen as a nucleated settlement is unknown. Up until the 18th century, Carrigvisteal (approx 1.5 km north of the village) was the main settlement node in the area.
Ballyporeen's subsequent growth may put down to a number of factors. In the 1700s the village was on the main coach road between Cork and Dublin, this would have led to passing trade and the opportunity for providing boarding houses and inns for travellers. There was also a mill at lower Main Street, this was known as Kingston's Mills and would have provided employment opportunities. It was operational until at least 1811.
The biggest single factor for the development and expansion of the village, was the involvement of the Earls of Kingston, the main landlord in the area. They owned the market rights on the estate and by 1810 (at the latest), large open air markets were held in the village three times a year. The fact the mill also bore their name indicates they were also probably influential in its creation.
Robert the 2nd Earl is most likely responsible for the village's planned street design, he initiated an ambitious building programme across the estate in the late 1700s.
Ground rents were kept low in the village to attract shopkeepers and tradespeople. The first edition Ordnance Survey maps (circa 1840) show the basic layout of the village as it is today encompassing the wide straight main street.
Lewis' survey of 1837 notes the village as being located in the barony of Iffa and Offa West and reported that there were 113 houses and 513 inhabitants.
People
thumb|left|260px|Ronald Reagan speaking in Ballyporeen in 1984
Ballyporeen is best known for being the ancestral home of United States President Ronald Reagan. His great-grandfather, Michael Regan (who later changed the spelling of his name), was baptised in the village in 1829 and lived there until his emigration to London not later than 1851 The main focus of the protesters was toward the Reagan administration's foreign policy, in particular its support of the Contras in Nicaragua.
Ballyporeen was previously home to The Ronald Reagan Pub. While the building still stands, the pub closed in 2004, the same year as Reagan's death, and the following year its fittings and external signage were transferred to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Ballyporeen is home to the singer/songwriter Gemma Hayes whose hits include Hanging Around from her debut album Night on my Side which was released to critical acclaim and was nominated for the 2002 Mercury Music Prize.
Sport
Soccer, Gaelic football, hurling, racquetball and handball are all represented by clubs in the area.
The local Gaelic football club, Ballyporeen GAA, competes at Senior level within the Southern division of Tipperary GAA. The rural settlement of Skeheenarinky has a hurling club, Skeheenarinky GAA, currently competing at Intermediate level. Ballyporeen has also had a very successful record in handball.
Parish
thumb|right|260px|Templetenny Grave Yard.
The Catholic and Anglican parishes were historically known as Templetenny.
There is a ruin of an ancient church at Templetenny approximately 4 km east of the present village of Ballyporeen. The site itself has Christian monastic origins and dates to at least 750 AD when St. Finnchadh was recorded as being abbot.