Ballymahon

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Ballymahon
Baile Uí Mhatháin

Is glas iad na cnoic i bhfad uainn.

Location

WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates:
53°34′00″N 7°46′00″W / 53.566667, -7.766667

Statistics

82 m

Population (2006)

1,797

Website: www.longfordcoco.ie

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Ballymahon

Ballymahon (Irish: Baile Uí Mhatháin) is a small town on the River Inny in the southern part of County Longford, Ireland. It is located at the junction of the N55 National secondary road and the R392 regional road. Ballymahon derives its name from Gaelic Baile Mathuna Town of Mahon. Mahon was a southern chieftain, the elder brother of Brian Boru, who fought a battle in the vicinity of Ballymahon at Shrule, in Irish Sruaith Fhuil, River of Blood. Mahon defeated O'Rourke of Cavan at this Battle and laid claim to lands in the area. Hence the town of Mahon originated.

1 Geography
2 Buildings of note
3 Transport & communications
4 People
5 Culture & sport
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Geography

The River Inny, a tributary of the River Shannon, flows westwards through Ballymahon in the direction of Lough Ree.

[edit] Buildings of note

Ballymahon Market House is a 3 bay 2 story building currently used as a library.
There is a large two storey building on the Mostrim Road which was the home of Irish burlesque in the late 19th century.

[edit] Transport & communications

Ballymahon is on the N55 road, a major route leading from Athlone, about 12 kilometres to the south, towards Belfast and Northern Ireland. The county town of Longford lies about 15 kilometres to the north-west.

[edit] People

It was the home of the writer Mary Flynn, author of the well-known children's book Cornelius Rabbit of Tang^{[citation needed]}
It was also the home of the 19th century patriotic poet John Keegan "Leo" Casey.^{[citation needed]}
The author Oliver Goldsmith was born in the nearby townland of Pallas.