Balla, County Mayo

Balla (pronounced Bal) (Irish: Balla) is a village in County Mayo, Ireland on the N60 National secondary road, the main road between Castlebar and Claremorris. The economy of the village survives mainly on passing trade, from the busy N60 which carries over 7,000 vehicles through the village every day. The village is to be bypassed when the new Castlebar-Claremorris road is constructed. Balla has only one street. 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 of a revival as a residential area for people working in Castlebar.

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 the millennium, 2000 oak trees were planted, creating a new wood in Balla's town park.

The founder of the local monastery appears to have been Mo Chua (fl. c. 500). Tradition has it that Saint Patrick himself had rested in Balla.

Transport

Balla railway station opened on 17 December 1862, but closed to passenger traffic on 17 June 1963, finally closing altogether on 2 December 1974.^[1]

Annalistic references

• M692.3 - Cronan Balnae i.e. of Balla, died.'

See also

• List of towns and villages in Ireland

References