Balla

Balla is a small town in County Mayo, Ireland on the main road between Castlebar and Claremorris, with one street only. It is notable for its round tower. It formerly was a significant shop and market centre. In recent decades it fell into decline and lost its railway station, but has enjoyed something a revival as a residential area for people working in Castlebar.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The people are warm, welcoming and friendly, extending a hospitality which offers you an opportunity to share in the living tradition of rural Ireland. Here you can combine the leisurely life of olden days with the comfort and amenities of modern times.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In early times the village was known as 'Ros Dairbhreach', meaning 'The Height of the Oak Wood'. The continuing importance of the oak to the local community is reflected in the appropriately named 'Dawn Oak 2000 project. At the beginning of this new millennium, 2000 oak trees were planted, creating a new wood in Balla's magnificent town park.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tradition has it that St Patrick himself rested in Balla, giving the village an important place in the history of the county.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

County Mayo: County Mayo (Irish: Contae Mhaigh Eo, the plain of the yews) is a county on the west coast of Ireland. It is in the province of Connacht. The county town of Mayo is Castlebar, which is also the largest town. Ballina is the second largest town. Mayo is bordered to the south by Galway, to the east by...

Ireland: :This page is about the island of Ireland. For the political territories on the island, see Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the History section below....

Castlebar: Castlebar (Caisle?n an Bharraigh in Irish) is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo, Ireland. A campus of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology and the Country Life section of the National Museum of Ireland are two important local amenities. The town is connected by railway to Dublin a...

Balla related Images and Photos (experimental)

David Givens '04/'05 running with ball ©Photofile