on Russell Street. An Arabella Kelly also ran a school from a private house. The census returns for the 1911 census showed a literacy rate of 95% for Ballybough. Schools today Some of the above-mentioned schools are still in existence, such as O'Connell's and St Columba's, and others have long since closed down. The children of Ballybough are still educated locally in those remaining schools, while some travel to schools in neighbouring areas like Fairview, East Wall, Marino, and Drumcondra, and others still go further afield. Sport Various sporting clubs and associations have existed in Ballybough. The most significant sporting association with a presence in the area is the GAA which is headquartered there at Croke Park. The site of Croke Park was once the City and Suburban Sports Ground, also known as the Jones's Road Sports Ground. Ordnance Survey evidence suggests that the site was once an orchard, prior to the building of the railroad - there is a road off Clonliffe Road called Orchard Road. Ballybough, and surrounding areas, play host to thousands of fans on match days. Pigeon Fancying One of the most popular sporting pastimes in Ballybough in times past was pigeon fancying. British soldiers stationed in Dublin helped to popularise the activity. Pigeon keeping was declared illegal in 1916 and birds were confiscated, the British fearing they might be used as message carriers. Ballybough fanciers had to hide their birds and smuggle them around. Ballybough and the North Strand was described as "a hot bed of pigeon men". Boxing A boxing club called Orchard Boxing Club was set up in Ballybough in 1966 by Paddy Larkin, father of international competitive boxer Paul Larkin. The club was revitalised in 2020 and work was done to restore the clubhouse on Orchard Road. Streetnames A brief summary of some roads and streets in Ballybough and the origin of their names. Notable residents Brendan Behan lived on Russell Street, of which Brendan Behan Court is now located. Curtis Fleming, from Tolka Road, played International football for Ireland. Luke Kelly of The Dubliners folk group, lived in the area. Paddy Moore, from Clonliffe Avenue, played International football for Ireland. John O'Donovan, place-names expert and Irish-language scholar, who translated the Annals of the Four Masters lived in the area. Edmund Rice and Matt Talbot resided for periods of time in Ballybough, and Talbot was a student at O'Connell Schools on Richmond