Ballina, Ireland Tourist Attractions
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Ballina (Béal an Aithe, "Mouth of the Ford") lies in the northwest of Ireland, in bog country on the banks of the River Moy, at the point where it widens out before entering Killala Bay, on the Atlantic. As the largest town in Mayo county, Ballina is the marketing center for an extensive hinterland.For anglers it is a good base from which to fish the River Moy and two well-stocked loughs, Conn and Cullin.The modern Roman Catholic cathedral has fine stained glass. Nearby are the remains of a 15th C. Augustinian friary.Near the railroad station a dolmen (National Monument) marks the grave of four brothers who are said to have murdered their foster-father, a bishop, in the sixth century.
Surroundings
Foxford Wollen Mills Visitor Center, Foxford
At Foxford, 10mi/16km south of Ballina, the Foxford Woolen Mills Visitor Center has recently been opened. The River Moy, which winds its way through the little town once provided water power for mills spinning wool. The Visitor Center has been established in one of the former mill buildings. Here once can see how wool was produced in the 19th C. and also how modern wool production is carried out.The story is told through a multi-lingual historical presentation, followed by a tour of the working mills where the crafts people produce rugs and blankets.
Lough Coon (Lough Cullin, Pontoon)
The R310 runs south from Foxford to the narrow strip of land between Lough Conn, famed for its pike, and Lough Cullin, famed for the fine views from its bridge. In both loughs fishing is free. Pontoon is a favorite fishing resort; boats can be hired.
Nephin Mor
From Ballina the R315 follows the south and west sides of Lough Conn, heading north. On the left Nephin Mor rises above the plain to a height of 2,626ft/800m. Seen from the northeast at some distance, its handsome and striking silhouette suggests the majesty of a holy mountain.
Crossmolina
At the northwest end of Lough Conn, on the N59, is Crossmolina, which has a peat-fired power station. There are numerous remains of ring-forts and other ancient structures in the area. 6mi/10km southeast, on a peninsula reaching out into the lough, are the ruins of Errew Abbey (13th C., National Monument).
Céide Fields
On the R314, 5mi/8km west of Ballycastle lie the Céide Fields, a Neolithic archaeological site covering 3.5sq.mi/10sq.km. It illustrates how the area looked 5,000 years ago. The incomers took down the forests and laid out pasture. They lived in isolated farmsteads, with perhaps a small piece of ground. Walls separated each property from its neighbors. Remains of these walls were discovered below a thick layer of peat. A Visitor Center, opened in 1993, provides background information to this remarkable discovery. The excavation is always accessible. Other excavations, dating from 1500 B.C. can be found near Belderg, 5mi/8km to the west.
Kilcummin, Ballycastle
From Crossmolina on the northwest end of Lough Conn, the R315 leads north to Ballycastle with beautiful coastal scenery on the Atlantic. On Downpatrick Head, 4mi/6km north, natural forces have carved fantastic shapes out of the sandstone cliffs bordering the shore and the isolated stacks in the sea.For an attractive run from Ballycastle, take the minor road which heads east following the coast via Rathlackan to Carrowmore and turns left there to reach Lackan Bay. The road ends at Kilcummin, where the picturesque ruins of a little seventh century church, with a holy well and old gravestones, stand in lonely isolation by the sea.
Rathfran Friary
From Carrowmore the R315 goes south past the remains of Rathfran Friary (13th C., National Monument). Of the church there remains the nave, choir and a chapel (15th C).
Killala
4mi/6km south of Carrowmore, at Killala, stands a well-preserved round tower 84ft/26m high. Adjoining it is a small 17th C. "cathedra." In 1798 French forces who had landed at Kilcummin bay to support the rebels held out for some time in Killala against British troops.
Moyne Abbey
In the Ballina area little way beyond Killala on the R315 a side road branches off on the left and runs southeast to Moyne Abbey (National Monument), a 15th C. Franciscan house of which considerable remains survive, though in a state of ruin - the nave, choir (with side chapel) and tower of the church, the cloister with its vaulting, the chapter-house, refectory, kitchen and dorters.
Rosserk Friary
In the Ballina 2.5mi/4km south of Moyne Abbey and well worth visiting is Rosserk Friary (National Monument), a 15th C. Franciscan house which preserves extensive remains. A richly carved doorway leads into the aisle-less church, with two chapels in the south transept. It has beautiful windows, a double font (with a round tower carved on one of the supports) and a square tower. The conventual buildings are two-storied.
