Bohola in Co. Mayo

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Bohola is a village located on the N5 at the intersection of the Kiltimagh/Ballina road with the Swinford/Castlebar road. At the old crossroads of the village there is a Post Office, a Catholic Church, and 2 pubs.

Famous Bohola Natives

Bohola was the birthplace of the great athlete, Martin Sheridan (1881-1918) and there is a memorial in his honour on the village green. Martin won 9 Olympic medals (5 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze) for his adopted country, the USA, in discus-throwing, high and long jumps, shot-putt and pole-vaulting at St. Louis (1904), Athens (1906) and London (1908). (These figures include 2 gold and 3 silver medals won in Athens which was not regarded as an "official" Olympics.)

The site for the Cheshire Home at Lismirrane, Bohola, was donated by the well-known O'Dywer family, one of whom, William (1890-1964), became Mayor of New York City (1946-50) and later President Truman's Ambassador to Mexico, a rare distinction for an Irish emigrant.

Paul O'Dwyer (b. Bohola, 1907 - d. Goshen, New York 1998), American lawyer, liberal Democratic politician, and champion of the underdog with an international reputation for civil liberties, served as President of New York City Council.

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