Ballaghaderreen (Irish:Bealach an Doirín, meaning 'the way of the little oak grove'[2]) is a town inCounty Roscommon, Ireland. It was part ofCounty Mayo until 1899. It is in the north-west of the county, near the borders with counties Mayo and Sligo, just off theN5 road. The population was 2,387 in the2022 census.[1]
As of 1837, the town was recorded as having 1147 inhabitants in about 200 houses and as "rising in importance" as a post-town,[3] being on the (then) new mail coach road fromBallina toLongford.
As of the mid-19th century, markets were held on Fridays, with seven fairs held throughout the year. A courthouse, market house and an infantry barracks to accommodate 94 persons had all been established by that time.[3][4]
In March 2017, Ballaghaderreen became an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) for hundreds of refugees from theSyrian Civil War.[5] In April 2018, the community was honoured with aPeople of the Year Award for welcoming the refugees into the community.[6]
Ballaghaderreen was previously located on theN5national primary road linkingLongford toWestport. However, the town was bypassed in September 2014 with the re-routing of the N5 to the north of the town.[11][12]
The nearest railway stations are inCastlerea (21 km) andBoyle (26 km). Ballaghaderreen was previously served by theBallaghaderreen branch line fromKilfree Junction, withBallaghaderreen railway station having opened on 2 November 1874 and closed permanently on 4 February 1963.[13] The station house remains standing, in a state of severe dereliction, just off Station Road.
Ballaghaderreen is on the main Dublin–Ballina bus route and there are several buses daily serving this route.Ireland West Airport is 15 km to the west.
^"Ballaghaderreen GAA Club". Retrieved30 August 2021.Ballaghaderreen GAA club is a Gaelic Football club situated in East Mayo on the border of Mayo & Roscommon
^Clarke, Frances (2009)."Deane, Anne (Duff)". In McGuire, James; Quinn, James (eds.).Dictionary of Irish Biography. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
^O'Cathaoir, Brendan (1990).John Blake Dillon, Young Irelander. Irish Academic Press. pp. 5, 6.ISBN9780716524670.
