Balla (pronounced Bal) () 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. It is notable for its round tower. The village is in a townland and civil parish of the same name.
History
The founder of the local monastery appears to have been Mo Chua. Tradition has it that Saint 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 the Lynch-Blosse baronets. 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.
Pat Nally (1857–1891), an athlete and member of the Supreme Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, was born in Rockstown House near Balla. The P.W. Nally monument, a Celtic Cross, was erected in Balla with the aid of a public subscription, and was unveiled in 1900 by Mark F. Ryan.
William Hamilton Maxwell (1792–1850), a Church of Ireland rector in Balla, wrote Wild Sports of the West while resident there in the 19th century.
Transport
Balla railway station opened on 17 December 1862, but closed to passenger traffic on 17 June 1963, and closed altogether on 2 December 1974.
Sport
Balla GAA is the village's main sports club. Manulla FC is the local soccer club.
Annalistic references
See Annals of Inisfallen.
- AI693.1Kl. Repose of Crónán of Balla, and of Udríne, bishop of Mag Bile. [AU 694].
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland