Ballaghaderreen is a busy Cathedral town
of approximately 2000 population situated on the Mayo/Roscommon
border close to the Lung River.
Historically it has been the gateway to the
West. Dillon House on the Square was the ancestral home of
John Blake, 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 Region.
In keeping with the whole area which is famed for the richness
of its archaelogical and historical heritage, St. Nathy's
College, now a large, very modern Secondary School, is built
around a British Military Barracks dating to 1798. 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,Song & Dance 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 the abundance of natural
leisure facilities Ballaghaderreen is a place to visit and
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