GOLDEN-BALL, a small village and post town, partly in Kilternan parish, and partly in that of Tully, Rathdown barony, Dublin county, eight miles S. by E. from Dublin. It is situated on the road to Euniskerry, and at or near the junction of four parishes-Tully, Kilternan, Kilgobbin, and Rathmichael, to which it is convenient merely for its post-office.

In the vicinity is some of the boldest and most strikingly diversified scenery in the county. The noted Scalp, a deep natural defile or chasm, on the confines of Wicklow on one side, with the Two and Three-rock Mountains on the other, the former rising 1,763 feet, and the Three-rock Mountain 1,479 feet above the level of the sea. Near the village is the Church of Kilternan, a handsome erection in the later English style; and at Sandyford, there is a large but unfinished Roman Catholic Chapel. At Kilternan there is a Dispensary; and at Glancullen a Constabulary Police Station, and two National Schools. Within a mile N.W. from Golden-ball is the village of Stepaside, in Killgobbin parish, comprising an area of 5 acres ; population, 260, inhabiting 26 houses. It is a Constabulary Police Station. About one mile and a quarter N.E of the village is the hamlet of Carrickmines in Tully parish, containing 17 houses and 104 inhabitants. It has four fairs in the year, January 6, April 14, June 24, and October 14, chiefly for cattle, sheep, and pigs. Near the Golden-ball are the Ballycorus lead mines of the Mining Company of Ireland, which give employment to about 50 men. The annual produce is about 500 tons, and it consists chiefly of galena, valued at £10 per ton. There is a tower for making shot near the mine ; also furnaces and other works for smelting and rolling the lead into pipes, &c. At Kilternan there are paper and cotton mills.

The mail from Dublin arrives at the Golden-ball at 54 minutes past 8, A.m., and is despatched at 51 minutes past 3, P.m.