Belcarra

Belcarra (Gaelic Baile na Cora) is a neat rural village approx 8km south-east of Castlebar. Nestled at the foot of a wooden drumlin, the village has a population of 150 people and over 50 households.

The greater Belcarra area has a population of 1092 (CSO Census 2006) in outlying villages including, Ballydavock, Carrowjames, Dereen, Lisaniskea, Roslahan and Walshpool.

St Ann’s Church, Belcarra, is a fine cut-stone building in the half-parish of Balla, where the priest resides.

Amenities

• Community Centre
• National School
• St Anne's Church
• Post Office
• 2 Pubs
• Grocery Store
• Butchers
• Riverside Walk
• Recycling Facilities
• Carra Caravaning and Camping

Commercial Enterprises

• Hardware Store
• Garage
• Frozen Food Depot

Tidy Towns Awards

Belcarra village has won the county Tidy Towns award many times, and has won a Regional award in that competition on one occasion.

There are two developed amenity areas adjacent to the Manulla river, which flows through the village, these are known as the 'Common' and the 'Fishery Area'.

The Community Co-Op has also developed a 3km 'Riverside Loop Walk' with two pedestrian bridges en route.

History & Archaeology

A tastefully restored cottage, formerly the scene of a 19th century eviction of nine members of the Walsh family, by the landlord’s agents, is now a Heritage Centre in Belcarra under the patronage of the Museums of Mayo.

Belcarra is steeped in archaeology and a survey of the area some years ago, by Belcarra Community Co-Op, identified 186 archaeological sites in the area. These include burial mounds, souterrains, ringforts, fulachta fiadh, standing stones, churches, childrens burial grounds, crannogs and castles. A number of stone-age and bronze-age artefacts were recovered during the survey, clearly indicating that the area has been inhabited for over 4000 years. These artefacts are exhibited in Belcarra Community Centre.

Elmhall and Guesdian cemeteries are 2 ancient Catholic cemeteries in the area, both of which are surveyed, mapped and well-maintained by the Community Council

An ancient spring well has been restored at Roslahan and is widely used.

Fishing Cloonaugh Lake and Walshpool Lough offer plenty of opportunity for fishing in the local area.

Voluntary Groups

The area is served by many hardworking committees including

• Tidy Towns Committee
• Community Co-Op
• Community Council
• PTAA
• Vincent de Paul Society
• Sports Committee
• Gun Club
• Parents' Council
• Various Church Organisations