Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

Town: Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo

Location: 40 miles from Galway, it’s the first town you come to in Co.Mayo as you travel west.

Transportation: Town is served by Dublin/Westport Rail Link; also daily bus connections to surrounding towns. 

Population: 1,708 (2006 figures)

Education: Evening classes focus particularly on computers. Ballyhaunis Community School offers both an introductory and advanced course in computing. Web-page design and pottery are also popular options. Email bcomm@iol.ie for more details.

Economy: There is a considerable steel fabrication and food processing industry which serves both domestic and international markets. The central location of the town makes it an ideal centre for distribution.

History: The town was built around the Augustine Friary; a beautiful Abbey that had for hundred of years been occupied by the Augustine Friars. The order left the town in 2002. The town also possesses a wealth of historical and archaeological gems in the shape of ring and stone forts, megalithic tombs and holy wells, etc.

Culture: Ballyhaunis is especially interested in keeping the spirit of song alive; there are five choirs in the town. This love for the dramatic is furthered with an Irish dancing school and a Speech and Drama school. It is a town seeped in tradition and the now 41 different nationalities in the town will certainly bring variety and character to this mix.

Sport: A new GAA centre is planned for just outside the town; it will be designed to have six pitches, an indoor hall, training and meeting facilities.

Craic: There are two main festivals in the town; The Abbey Pattern which takes place at the end of August and the May Weekend Festival.