Ballymote
| Ballymote Baile an Mhóta | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Ballymote Castle | |
  Ballymote Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 54°05′23″N 8°31′00″W / 54.0896°N 8.5167°WCoordinates: 54°05′23″N 8°31′00″W / 54.0896°N 8.5167°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Sligo |
| Elevation | 76 m (249 ft) |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
| • Urban | 1,549 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | G662150 |
Ballymote (Irish: Baile an Mhóta, meaning "town of the motte/mound") is a market town in southern County Sligo in the province of Connacht, in the west of Ireland. It lies in the barony of Corran.
It is a historic town, with Ballymote Castle, the last and the mightiest of the Norman castles in Connacht.[2] This castle, dating from 1300, was built by Richard de Burgh. It also has a Market House, a three-bay, two-story building currently used by the South County Sligo Community Mental health service of the Health Service Executive.
Transport
Ballymote lies on regional roads R293, R295 and R296, and on the main Dublin to Sligo railway line. Ballymote railway station opened on 3 December 1862.[3]
Demography
In 1900 Ballymote had a population of 1,145,[4] compared to 1,549 in 2016.[1]
Economy
In addition to the normal services of a small town Ballymote features factories and a small business park on the R296 Road to Tobercurry. There is a livestock mart[5] and a recent venture of a microbrewery.[6] The wider area is mainly Livestock farming, with a significant number commuting to Sligo town for work.
Sport
A number of sports are played in the town, including Gaelic football and athletics at Corran Park and soccer at Brother Walfrid Memorial Park. Numerous other sports are played, particularly at under-age level. Golf is played at a nine-hole course on the outskirts of the town.[7]
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.[8][9]
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.[10]
A children's playground has been created at Town Park. A miniature railway has been in operation there on some summer weekends.[11]
September 11 memorial
The Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg unveiled Ireland's national monument to the 69th Infantry Regiment (aka The Fighting 69th) and Michael Corcoran in Ballymote on 22 August 2006. At the foot of the monument is a piece of steel from the World Trade Center in New York, which was attacked on September 11, 2001. The steel was donated by the family of a local man who died in the attack.
People
Some well-known people from Ballymote and the surrounding areas include:
- Feldmarschall The 3rd Earl of Carlingford (1639-1704) – the head of an old Hiberno-Norman family, he became a senior-ranking commander in the Imperial Army and the Army of the Holy Roman Empire, the armed forces of the Hapsburg dynasty. Lord Carlingford was born in Ballymote.
- 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 was born near Ballymote.[12]
- 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.[13]
- 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, previously a Senator in the 22nd Seanad
- Feldmarschall Nicholas Graf von Taaffe and 6th Viscount Taaffe (1685-1769) - senior-ranking military commander in the Holy Roman Empire (also known as the Austrian Empire). Born in Ballymote, the Graf was a cousin of The 3rd Earl of Carlingford.
- Brother Walfrid, the founder of Glasgow Celtic Football Club
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.
See also
References
- 1 2 "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.
- ↑ "Ballymote Castle". Irelandseye.com. Retrieved 28 May 2007.
- ↑ "Ballymote station" (PDF). Railscot - Irish Railways. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-07.
- ↑ "Description of County Sligo from Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland (1900)". Library Ireland. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Ballymote Golf Club". Discover Ireland. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Tour 2 - Paddy Killoran, 1904-1965 (P)". Coleman Country. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ↑ McKay, Susan (2004) [1998]. Sophia's Story. Gill & McMillan. ISBN 978-0717137923.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ballymote. |
- Ballymote Pictures and Travel Review
- Ballymote Town Website
- Ballymote Parish
Places in County Sligo | ||
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