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Balla Balla | |
|---|---|
Village | |
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  Balla Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates:53°48′18″N9°07′42″W / 53.805°N 9.1283°W /53.805; -9.1283 | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Mayo |
| Elevation | 37 m (121 ft) |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
• Total | 769 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | M255844 |
Balla (pronouncedBal) (Irish:Balla, meaning 'wall')[2][3] is a village inCounty Mayo,Ireland on theN60National secondary road, the main road betweenCastlebar andClaremorris. 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. It is notable for itsround tower. The village is in atownland andcivil parish of the same name.[3] It used to be a significant shop and market centre. 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 21st century, 2000 oak trees were planted, creating a new wood in Balla's Town Park.
According toAdrian Room inA Dictionary of Irish Placenames, the name refers to theTobar Mhuire, known in English as the Blessed Well, i.e., of theBlessed Virgin Mary) to the west of Balla. This was enclosed by a wall in the 7th century, traditionally by SaintMo Chua.[4]
The founder of the local monastery appears to have beenMo Chua. Tradition has it thatSaint Patrick himself had rested in Balla.
Much of the lands around Balla were in possession of the Moores of Brees but transferred on the marriage of Mary Moore to Sir Henry Lynch and were from then under the ownership of theLynch-Blosse baronets.[5] Atahavallie House, was built by Sir Robert Lynch Blosse (1784-1818), possibly on the site of an earlier house near the village around 1808-10.[6]
Pat Nally (1857–1891), an athlete and member of the Supreme Council of theIrish Republican Brotherhood, was born in Rockstown House near Balla. The P.W. Nally monument, aCeltic Cross, was erected in Balla with the aid of a public subscription, and was unveiled in 1900 byMark F. Ryan.[7]
William Hamilton Maxwell (1792–1850), aChurch of Irelandrector in Balla, wroteWild Sports of the West while resident there in the 19th century.[8]
Balla railway station opened on 17 December 1862, but closed to passenger traffic on 17 June 1963, and closed altogether on 2 December 1974.[9]
Balla GAA is the village's main sports club. Manulla FC is the localsoccer club.[citation needed]
