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 hosts the 3rd Annual Solas Street Festival from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th August. A jam-packed programme of events will give all ages three days of fun and frolics on the streets of Ballaghaderreen.

Brush Shiels, Patrick Feeney, a host of local bands and comedy will keep the Solas big stage buzzing. The ever popular Taste of Ballaghaderreen, Street Races, Vintage Rally, Children's Fancy Dress and Treasure Hunts will fill the streets over the weekend.

The Second International Turf Throwing Competition (the only one in the world) takes place on Saturday 13th August. A massive Shopping Spree has been arranged for the Friday and Saturday with huge reductions in participating shops and lots of prizes to be won. The fireworks display on Sunday 14th at 10.30pm bringing the festival to a close is not to be missed

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