Ballymote


Ballymote is a market town in southern County Sligo in the province of Connacht, in the west of Ireland. It lies in the barony of Corran.
The Norman Ballymote Castle dates from the 1300s and the Book of Ballymote was written in or near the town in the 1390s.

Demography

In 1900 Ballymote had a population of 1,145, compared to 1,549 in 2016.

Economy

In addition to shops and other services, there are factories just outside Ballymote at Ballybrennan, and a small business park at Carrownanty on the R296 Road to Tobercurry. There is a livestock mart and a microbrewery. The wider area is mainly agricultural, with many people commuting to Carrick on Shannon and Sligo town for work.

Sport

A number of sports are played in the town, including Gaelic football and athletics at Corran Park and soccer at Brother Walfrid Memorial Park. There is a nine-hole golf course on the outskirts of the town.

Heritage and culture

The Ballymote Heritage Group was founded on 30 May 1984. At the bank holiday at the beginning of August they organise a heritage weekend with a variety of events and an annual publication, The Corran Herald.
The Irish Raptor Research Centre near Templehouse Lough was originally set up for research purposes but since 2003 demonstrates the fun and educational Eagles Flying Show as well.
A children's playground has been created at Town Park. A miniature railway has been in operation there on some summer weekends.

Landmarks

Buildings

It is a historic town, with Ballymote Castle, the last and the mightiest of the Norman castles in Connacht. This castle, dating from 1300, was built by Richard de Burgh. It also has a Market House, a three-bay, two-story building formerly used by the South Sligo Adult Community Mental Health team of the Health Service Executive.
There has been a library in the town since 1949. Originally run from the Loftus Hall it was relocated to the former courthouse in 1984 before moving in 2011 to its current location on Teeling Street.

September 11 memorial

The then Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, unveiled Ireland's national monument to the 69th Infantry Regiment and Michael Corcoran in Ballymote on 22 August 2006. At the foot of the monument is a piece of steel from the World Trade Center in New York, which was attacked on September 11, 2001. The steel was donated by the family of a local man who died in the attack.

Transport

Ballymote lies on regional roads R293, R295 and R296, and on the main Dublin to Sligo railway line. Ballymote railway station opened on 3 December 1862.

Annalistic references

From the Annals of the Four Masters:
Some well-known people from Ballymote and the surrounding areas include: