Ballybay
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| Ballybay Béal Átha Beithe |
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| Bheith i Lar Baire | ||
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| Irish Grid Reference H743188 |
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| Province: | Ulster | |
| County: | County Monaghan | |
| Elevation: | 61 m (203 ft) | |
| Population () | ||
Ballybay (Irish: Béal Átha Beithe) is a town in County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. The name in English means "The Mouth of the Ford of the Birches".
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[edit] Town Layout
The town is the meeting point for roads going to Monaghan, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Clones. The town grew up from the congerence of the roads. The town is built beside a large lake, Lough Major (In Irish "Lough Mór") and the smaller Lough Minor. The Drummore River also runs through the south of the town, past Pearse Brother's Football Grounds, and past the Riverdale Hotel.
[edit] History
The town grew up in the 18th century, gaining its prosperity from the linen industry founded by the Jackson family. The Town council (Ballybay Development Committe) was established around 1870. Later, on 1 January 1921, an IRA ambush led by Eoin O'Duffy killed one RIC man, one civilian and three Auxiliaries were wounded during the Irish War of Independence
[edit] Coat of arms
Ballybay's coat of arms shows debris from trees on both sides of the Drummore river which runs through the town. The official Presentation of the Coat of Arms to the Town Council was done by the Deputy Chief Herald of Ireland, Mr Fergus Gillespie, and took place on 14th May 2004.
[edit] Buildings of note
- Ballybay Market House is a 4 bay 2 storey building built in 1848
[edit] Today
Today the town is a prosperous and growing one. The re-opening of the Riverdale hotel in 2006 has brought tourists back into the town, after the "drought", and after heavy pollution Lough Major is now clear and fishing has returned.
