A mountain pass or narrow valley, especially in Irish or Scottish geography (Irish: bealach).
From Irish Gaelic 'beala' or 'bealach' meaning 'passage' or 'pass'. Related to Celtic languages and used in place names throughout Ireland and Scotland.
When you see Irish or Scottish place names with 'beala' in them, you're looking at ancient routes through mountains—these words preserve memories of how people traveled centuries ago.
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