Ballyglass in Co. Mayo

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Ballyglass - 'An Baile Glas' (The Green Village) - is aptly named, located as it is in a fertile strip of land straddling the borders of Mayo Abbey and Carnacon. Farming is still the mainstay of the local population.

Facilities

Equidistant from the towns of Claremorris, Ballinrobe and Castlebar, Ballyglass has an impressive amount of facilities for a village of its size and population. These include a post office, shop and petrol station, 2 pubs, a national school, a creche & childcare facility, a garda station, a community centre and a football club.

Sport

For many years Ballyglass has been renowned for the spirit of sportsmanship existing within the community. Since the 1940's Sports were held annually on 'The Turlough' attended by hoardes of people from throughout the region. This event later moved to a bigger sportsground and the 44th annual Sports took place on August 23 1995, after which there was a break for a number of years, until its revival again in 2010.

Ballyglass FC

Ballyglass enjoys a reputation for excellence in soccer and for the quality of facilities available. Ballyglass FC was founded in 1975 and the club has progressed over the years to splendid modern amenities including a floodlit training pitch, an astro turf pitch, clubhouse and changing rooms, meeting and function rooms, storage shed and ample car parking. Ballyglass FC grounds were officially opened in 1989 by the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson The Club dedicated its pitch, in 2009, to one of its founding members - Michael Keaveney Park - the unveiling of the plaque was performed by President of the FAI, David Blood In bygone times, Ballyglass was a significant stopping post for the Bianconi cars which predated railways. Continuing the tradition, overnight facilities for the popular horse drawn caravans are available locally.

Community Centre

The old National School in Ballyglass was vacated in 1986 when a new school was built and the old building was renovated and modernised into what is now a very popular amenity for the area, Ballyglass Community Centre. This Centre is used by the community for a variety of meetings, activities, card games, keep fit classes, Writers Club, Over 55's and more. Ballyglass Community Council have worked hard over the years to foster and provide facilities for all members of the local community. With the assistance of grant aid, a tennis court has been developed, at the back of the Community Centre and is available for use by the local community free of charge. Heritage Club Ballyglass Heritage Club was founded in 2007 and actively promotes a number of vintage events annually including: a Vintage Show on the June Bank Holiday Sunday, a Tractor Road Run in August and a number of other Charity Runs during the year.

History & Archaeology

There are many historical and archaeological sites of interest in the area including:

Other notable historic features and places nearby include:

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