Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (Irish) bad trouble.

1868		C. White The Hop of Fashion in Darkey Drama 4 Act I: Now, then; I’m going to give you what we call Bally Hooly.
1879		C.J. Kickham Knocknagow 194: Tis all hours, an’ I’m in for gettin’ Ballyhooly from the misthress.
1927		S. Bent Ballyhoo n.p.: The village was long famous for its party fights, and to give or to get Ballyhooly was to berate or be berated.

2. noise, commotion, crying.

1949

R. Park Poor Man’s Orange 23: Stop yer ballyhooly! You’re making such a noise I can’t hear me ears!