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

Ballaghaderreen is set to shine even brighter on Friday 20th,  Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd August as the Solas Arts Festival will bring the streets alive with the sound of music, every evening and night on the Big Solas Stage. 

The beautiful aroma of one hundred different dishes at the ‘Taste of Ballaghaderreen’ on Saturday afternoon, the comedy of Crowing ‘Solas Sister No. 1’ on Sunday evening, throw in a vintage rally, novelty races and events on every street, fancy dress, a little bit of poetry and story telling, a Thatcher, a Blacksmith, A Basket Maker, as well as Treasure Hunts and countless fun and activities for the kiddies.  Solas has it all for every age.

 When the lights come down on the big stage on Friday Night the Festival Jamboree and BBQ in the Abbeyfield Hotel is the place to be.  If you’ve missed somebody on the street you're sure to meet them here.

 In naming the annual Festival ‘Solas’ (the Irish for light) the town recalls the fact that Ballaghaderreen became one of the first towns in Ireland to be lit by electricity.  Almost a century later the local Tidy Towns Committee organised this festival to celebrate the age old market town’s proud history, vibrant present and bright future. 

The Solas Arts Festival will kick off on Friday 20th August right through to Sunday 22nd August with the atmosphere in Ballaghaderreen guaranteed to be Electric!

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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, our book “Gathering The Memories” (The story of Brusna) was launched on Friday evening the 23rd of July 2010.

The book is available for purchase from any member of the committee or the popular news outlets in Ballaghaderreen - retailing at €15.00.

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

Find out what Ballaghaderreen Tidy Towns Committee have in store for 2010

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BALLAGHADERREEN TIDY TOWNS NEEDS YOU!!

Find out how you can help

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