ABOUT BALLINA : Built on the banks of the magestic River Moy, Ballina is a distinctive area, a place apart, renowned for it's relaxed atmosphere that falls against the backdrop of the iconic Cathedral, an the winding waters from the ridgepool to the Quay.
The North Mayo capital, Ballina is the ideal place for visitors to base themselves in enjoying and exploring the extensive region of unspolit beauty spanning Mayo annd West Sligo.
Look up Ballina and you will find references to it's world famous salmon-aters, championship golf courses, breathtaking scenery but unrecorded in the pages and papers is the wealth of excellent restaurants, luxury hotels the palapable sense of serenity and the safe-haven that is our home town.
A plethora o pubs and restaurants, entertainment and amenities, Ballina is a location for all the family. Children's play centres, historic sites including, woodland walks, swimming pools and shops meet every taste and if you're still not exhausted, take a stroll along the breath-taking beaches of Ross, Lacken, Pontoon and Enniscrone.
BALLINA'S HISTORICAL SITES Ballina's historic Dolmen is located behind the railway station. The Humbert Monument was erected in 1898 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French landing at Killala in 1798. A Dublin craftsman originally sculptured the monument but in recent years it has been beautifully restored locally by G.J. Ginty & Sons.
The Font monument of polished granite, at the junction of Bury Street and Teeling Street is known locally as The Font. Originally it was a watering place for horses. St Patrick's Well on the Killala Road has a strong association with the area and the ruins of the original Kilmoremoy Church are to be found in nearby League Cemetery.
FISHING ON THE RIVER MOY Ballina is famous the world over as a salmon capital. This magnificent river has produced over 7,000 salmon to the rod over the years 2001-2006. The River Moy offers a variety of fishing including top class fly water, spinning and worming. Fishing is available to suit all tastes and budgets.
TOM RUANE PARK Children and adults alike can enjoy Ballina's Town Park located on the Sligo Road. With everything from swings to slides, this is the ideal location for the family day out! Ballina tennis courts located adjacent to Tom Ruane Park is the perfect place to challenge all the family to a good game of doubles!
BELLEEK WOODS Over 200 acres of woodlands with trees up to 300 years old, this is the ideal place for a family walk. Situated on the banks of the River Moy across from the Quay Village.
GOLF Several quality courses including Ballina, Enniscrone, Westport, Castlebar and the famous links course at Carne, Belmullet.
BALLINA SWIMMING POOL Located on Cathedral Road in Ballina Phone: (096)70506 for times and classes
ENNISCRONE BEACH Enniscrone Beach is located in west County Sligo, 13km from Ballina, County Mayo and 48km from Sligo town. The beach has a 5km stretch of fine sands and is backed by sand dunes, which are rich in flora and fauna. A portion of the beach is life guarded from June to August each year (Monday to Sunday from 11am to 7pm)
CéIDE FIELDS, BALLYCASTLE, CO MAYO Beneath the wild boglands of North Mayo lies the Céide Fields, the most extensive Stone-Age monument in the world: field systems, dwelling areas and megalitic tombs of 5,000 years ago. In addition, the wild flora of the bog is of formations and cliffs in Ireland. The visitors Centre houses diplays and exhibitions in English & Irish. Average lenght of visit one and a half hours. Tel: 00 353 9643325 E-mail ceidefields@opw.ie
MICHAEL DAVITT MUSEUM, STRIADE, FOXFORD, CO MAYO The Michael Davitt Museum is housed in the magnificently restored pre-penal church in the village of Straide, Co Mayo. The Michael Davitt Museum contains an extensive collection of documents, photos,Land Acts, letters, postcards, posters and other items connected with Davitts Life. The excellent Audio-Visual enhances the exhibition. Tel: 00 353 949031022 www.museumsofmayo.com/davitt
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND - COUNTRY LIFE Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo Home and national folklife collectionj, the Museum of Country Life is a branch of the National Museum of Ireland. Visitors to the Exhibition Galleries experience the story of Irish country life between 1850 and 1950 through the innovation combination of artefacts and displays, archival video footage and interactive screens. The Museum is located in Turlough Village, four miles east of Castlebar (off the N5) Admission Free. Guided tours daily. Groups must book in advance. Tel: 00 353 949031498 Website: www.museum.ie
