Historically it has been the gateway to the West. Dillon House on the Square was the ancestral home of John Blake and John & James Dillon, major figures in Irish political life. It is now the headquarters of the Western Development Commission. Beside it is the Headquarters and Administrative Offices of The Border, Midland and Western Regional Authority. In keeping with the whole area, which is famed for the richness of its archaeological and historical heritage, St. Nathy's College, now a large very modern Secondary School, is built around a British Military Barracks dating back to 1798. Ballaghaderreen, situated in a river valley and surrounded by hills with captivating views, it has proved to be the inspiration for a large and vibrant colony of artists.

As you approach Ballaghaderreen from the east, you pass the home of the First President of Ireland, Dr. Douglas Hyde, after whom a very successful Annual Conference on Irish History is held together with a School of Traditional Irish Music and Song, and from the front of the Hyde Interpretive Centre one gets their first view of the scenery and the landscape that has inspired generations of great Irish people.

With the friendliest of people, excellent food and accommodation together with an abundance of natural leisure facilities, Ballaghaderreen is a place to visit and linger.

Distances to Airports from Ballaghaderreen town:

 Ireland West Airport, Knock    11.7 miles/18.8km          20mins

Galway Airport                             51 miles/82km                1hr 25 mins

Dublin Airport                              120 miles/193km            2hrs 30 mins

Shannon Airport                         103 miles/165km            2hrs 36 mins

Distances and Times from Ballaghaderreen:

Sligo                       30 miles                            51 mins

Castlebar               34 miles                            54mins

Athlone                  49 miles                            1hr 10 mins

Galway                   54 miles                            1hr 30mins

Tullamore              74 miles                            1hr 42mins

Limerick                 111 miles                          2 hrs 46 mins

Waterford             115 miles                          2hrs 46mins

Dublin                    115 miles                          2hrs 38 mins

Calling all from Brusna and surrounding areas - no matter what part of the world you may be :

After months of committee meetings and long hours of research by the hard working task force the date and venue and time for the launch of our book “Gathering The Memories” (The story of Brusna) has been fixed.

Put this in your diary - the date is Friday evening the 23rd of July 2010, the venue is Durkins, The Square, Ballaghaderreen and the time is 9.30pm.

What a night it promises to be, an ideal opportunity to meet friends that you may not have seen, or heard of, since your school days. A chance to reminisce on the days spent around Brusna. Local talent will provide the entertainment on the night and Michael Cummins of Mid-West radio fame will do the launch.

Saturday the 24th of July, the next day between 1-00pm and 3-00pm, is open day, and a tour of the School comparing class rooms now, with the rooms you occupied during your years there, will take place, and maybe you will be able to find your name in the Roll book.

Without giving away any of the detail in the book preferring to let each individual investigate for themselves we are sure that you will find the stories and photographs, nostalgic, educational, funny, and that they will roll back the years for you.

We hope that it will be possible for you to be present for this launch, and that you pass the message on to all your contacts particularly past pupils that attended Brusna school.

The book will be available for purchase from any member of the committee or the popular news outlets in Ballaghaderreen following the launch retailing at €15.00.

Proceeds of funds raised through the sale of books will be spent on projects in the Brusna area.

       Looking forward to meeting you at the launch.

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