Ballymote
Ballymote
Baile an Mhóta | ||
---|---|---|
Town | ||
Eircode routing key F56 | ||
Telephone area code | +353(0)71 | |
Irish Grid Reference | G662150 |
Ballymote (Irish: Baile an Mhóta, meaning "town of the motte/mound") is a market town in southern County Sligo, Ireland. It is around 20 km south of Sligo town in the province of Connacht, which is in the north-west of Ireland. Ballymote lies in the barony of Corran. It is a commuter town with a strong history of independent enterprises along with firm local health, school, and transport services. Ballymote is on the main Dublin to Sligo Train Line, and 10 minutes from the N4 / N17 roads. The town serves a large hinterland area in south east County Sligo.
The Norman Ballymote Castle dates from the 1300s, and the Book of Ballymote was written in or near the town in the 1390s.
History
The origins of the settlement appear to have been derived from the 12th century Norman Castle,
Ballymote was much affected by the disruption of the full conquest of Ireland by the English and Protestant settlers in the early modern period (1536–1691). Ballymote was ravaged several times in the 16th century and finally burned to waste.[6] In 1608 King James I granted an estate encompassing the castle and area around the town to James Fullerton,[7] this was soon to pass to the Taaffes.[8] Following litigations, court action and a forced sale John Fitzmaurice (Lord Shelburne) bought the Ballymote estate in 1753.[9][a]
On coming to Ballymote, Shelburne found the land mostly uncultivated with the inhabitants, all
In 1833, the ownership of the town was transferred from the Fitzmaurices to the Gore-Booth family of
Annalistic references
From the Annals of the Four Masters:
- M1300.3.The castle of Ath-Cliath-an-Chorainn (i.e.of Ballymote) was commenced by the Earl.
- M1317.5.The castle of Ath-cliath an Chorainn (i.e. of Ballymote) was demolished.
Geography
Ballymote lies 24 km south-east of Sligo Town and 193 km west from Dublin. Caves of Keash are located 5 km south of the town
Demography
In 1900 Ballymote had a population of 1,145,[21] compared to 1,711 in 2022.[2]
Economy
In addition to a selection of shops and services, there are factories just outside the town at Ballybrennan, and a small business park at Carrownanty on the R296 Road to
Sport
A number of sports are played in the town, including
Heritage and culture
The Ballymote Heritage Group was founded on 30 May 1984. At the bank holiday at the beginning of August they organise a heritage weekend with a variety of events and an annual publication, The Corran Herald.[29][30]
The Irish Raptor Research Centre near Templehouse Lough was originally set up for research purposes but since 2003 demonstrates the fun and educational Eagles Flying Show as well.[31]
A children's playground has been created at Town Park. A miniature railway was previously in operation there on some summer weekends.[32]
The town regularly host St Patricks day parades each year.
Landmarks
Buildings
It is a historic town, with Ballymote Castle, the last and the mightiest of the Norman castles in Connacht.[33] This castle, dating from 1300, was built by Richard de Burgh. It also has a Market House, a three-bay, two-story building formerly used by the South Sligo Adult Community Mental Health team of the Health Service Executive.
There has been a library in the town since 1949; originally run from the Loftus Hall, it was relocated to the former courthouse in 1984 before moving in 2011 to its current location on Teeling Street.[34]
Temple house is located approximately 2 km from the town.
September 11 memorial
The then
Transport
Ballymote lies on
The town is also served by Ireland West Airport that is located approximately 30 minutes away.
People
Some well-known people from Ballymote and the surrounding areas include:
- Habsburg dynasty.[b]
- Michael Corcoran, brigadier general of the 69th Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.
- Paddy Killoran (1903–1965), one of the finest exponents of the South Sligo Style of Fiddle playing (born near Ballymote).[36]
- Sophia McColgan, recipient of the 1998 Irish Person of the Year award on behalf of her family for her courage in bringing a familial abuse story to public attention.[37]
- John Perry, a Teachta Dála and Minister of State for Small Business in the 31st Dáil.
- Eamon Scanlon, a Teachta Dála in the 32nd Dáil and a Senator in the 22nd Seanad.
- Feldmarschall Nicholas Graf von Taaffe and 6th Viscount Taaffe (1685–1769). Born in Ballymote, the Graf was a cousin of The 3rd Earl of Carlingford. He was a senior-ranking military commander in the Holy Roman Empire (also known as the Austrian Empire).
- James Sreenan former Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces
- Brother Walfrid, the founder of Glasgow Celtic Football Club.
See also
- List of towns and villages in the Republic of Ireland
- List of market houses in the Republic of Ireland
- Henry Taaffe, 12th Viscount Taaffe
References
Notes
Footnotes
- ^ D'Imperio 2014.
- ^ a b "Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Ballymote". Census 2022. Central Statistics Office. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ a b Lewis 1837b.
- ^ a b c d Development Planning Unit 2012, p. 3.
- ^ Preston 1985, p. 4.
- ^ O'Rorke 1900, p. 160.
- ^ O'Rorke 1900, p. 161.
- ^ O'Rorke 1900, p. 161–162.
- ^ O'Rorke 1900, p. 166–167.
- ^ a b c Lewis 1837m.
- ^ a b Chambers 2018, p. 13.
- ^ Young 1887, p. 66.
- ^ Coleman 2013, pp. 24–29.
- ^ Young 1887, pp. 66−67.
- ^ "Paine, James". Dictionary of Irish Architects. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ O'Rourke, Felim (8 January 2008). "When Sligo had 3 markets - for butter, linen and corn". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- OCLC 39672233
- ^ Darley 1975, p. 149.
- ^ Chambers 2018, pp. 13–15.
- ^ Keaney 2010.
- ^ "Description of County Sligo from Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland (1900)". Library Ireland. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
- ^ Ballymote-Tobercurry, Municipal District (28 November 2016). "Minutes of the meeting of the Municipal District of Ballymote-Tobercurry" (PDF). Sligo County Council. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- ^ "Ballymote Business Park could create 200 new jobs". The independent.
- ^ "Focus on Ballymote Mart Day in our Rural Life Feature". The Sligo Champion. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ "The White Hag Brewery". The White Hag. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ Development Planning Unit 2012, p. 28.
- ^ "Ballymote Golf Club". Discover Ireland. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ "Ballymote Golf Club closes down". 9 August 2019.
- ^ "Welcome to Ballymote Heritage Sligo". Ballymote Heritage Group. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "The Corran Herald Previous Issues". Ballymote Heritage Group. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "About Us". Eagles Flying. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ^ "Council urged to help get Ballymote mini-train back on track". Sligo Champion. 16 July 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
- ^ "Ballymote Castle". Irelandseye.com. Retrieved 28 May 2007.
- ^ BHG 2011, p. 77.
- ^ "Ballymote station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
- ^ "Tour 2 - Paddy Killoran, 1904-1965 (P)". Coleman Country. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ISBN 978-0717137923.
Sources
- BHG (2011). "New Community Library and Fire Station in Ballymote" (PDF). The Corran Herald. No. 44. The Ballymote Heritage Group. p. 77. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
- Chambers, Sr Nell (2018). "The rich history of Earlsfield House, Ballymote" (PDF). The Corran Herald. No. 51. Ballymote Heritage Group. pp. 13–15.
- Coleman, John (2013). "Further Light on the Linen Industry in 18th Century Ballymote" (PDF). The Corran Herald. No. 46. Ballymote Heritage Group. pp. 24–29.
- CSO (2016). "Population and Actual and Percentage Change 2011 to 2016 by Alphabetical List of Towns, CensusYear and Statistic". Central Statistics Office (Ireland). Retrieved 16 August 2017.
- Darley, Gillian (1975). Villages of vision (1st ed.). London: The Architecctural Press Ltd. OL 4934366M.
Estate belonging to Gore Booth family; single street with 160 houses. Linen industry failed
- D'Imperio, Antio (2014). "Ballymote Castle". irishstones.org. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- Development Planning Unit (September 2012). Ballymote Local Area Plan 2012–2018 (PDF) (Report). Sligo Count Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 May 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
- Lewis, Samuel (1837b). "Ballymote, a market and post town". Library Ireland. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
- Lewis, Samuel (1837m). "Sligo Manufacturing". Library Ireland. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- Keaney, Harry (14 January 2010). "Plan to turn Ballymote Corn Mill into a major tourism attraction". Sligo Champion. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- O'Rorke, Terence (1900). The History of Sligo: Town and Country. Vol. 2. Dublin: James Duffy and Co. OL 24786532M.
- Preston, Una (25 October 1985). "Ballymote" (PDF). Corran Herald. No. 1. Ballymote Heritage Group.
- Young, Arthur (1887). A Tour in Ireland 1776–1779. Cassell & Company. OL 7147022M.
Further reading
- McGettrick, Tom (April 1987a). "The Linen Industry : Heritage of Other Times" (PDF). The Corran Herald. No. 9. Ballymote Heritage Group. p. 5.
- McGettrick, Tom (July 1987b). "The Linen Industry : Heritage of Other Times" (PDF). The Corran Herald. No. 10. Ballymote Heritage Group. p. 15.
- Mc Keon, John (2019). "Lord Palmerston's Ballymote Estate: A Place of Memorable Change" (PDF). The Corran Herald. No. 52. Ballymote Heritage Group. pp. 8–13.
- Ní Chinnéide, Síle (1977). "A Frenchman's Tour of Connacht in 1791. Part II". Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society. 36. Galway Archaeological & Historical Society: 30–42. JSTOR 25535500.
External links
- Ballymote travel guide from Wikivoyage
- Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). 1911. .
- Ballymote Town Website
- Ballymote Parish