Ballyglass: Bridge, Turloughs and Local History

Ballyglass brings together a historic road bridge and a landscape shaped by turloughs and natural history. Ballyglass Bridge spans Ballyglass Lough; this single-arch road bridge has stood since 1894. The village also lies in a fertile strip of land extending across the boundaries of Mayo Abbey and Carnacon. When choosing holiday accommodation, you may wish to consider whether you want to include architectural history, landscape, or local club and event traditions in your trip.

Bridge and Turlough Landscape

Ballyglass Bridge is an important part of the 19th-century civil engineering heritage of south County Mayo. Its single arch crosses Ballyglass Lough. Its design, construction date and lakeside setting make it a tangible example of how a structure and the landscape come together in this place. Those interested in heritage will find a clear point of interest here without losing sight of the surrounding area.

The turlough landscape also offers specific points of interest. The Ballyglass Turlough covers 25.9 hectares. There are three turloughs in the Ballyglass area; the largest, or most important, is in Carrowhall and is notable for its natural history. The Ballyglass area should be considered at least regionally, and possibly nationally, significant because of the presence of Ephemerum cohaerens and the northernmost recorded site to date of Rorippa islandica.

Buildings and Former Transport Routes

Ballyglass was once a stop for Bianconi coaches, which predated the railway. The original uses of some buildings also tell the story of the village’s former functions: the Old Ground Pub was first built as a warehouse, while Murphys Guest House originally served as a courthouse. Ballyglass Garda Barracks was first built as a hotel, when the railway line from Claremorris to Westport was expected to be routed through Ballyglass. The village’s history thus brings together coach travel, public use and changes to buildings.

Ballyglass Community Centre is housed in a former national school, which was renovated and modernised after 1986. The conversion of a former school building is another tangible chapter in local history.

Clubs, Events and Sport

Ballyglass Heritage Club holds annual vintage vehicle events. These include a Vintage Show on the Sunday of the June bank holiday and a Tractor Road Run in August. The club also organises charity runs throughout the year. If you are planning your trip specifically around an event, check the dates for that year before travelling.

Sports facilities and shared community use also shape the village. Ballyglass Sports Field was a historic venue for numerous sporting events on the turlough and was acquired by Ballyglass Sports Club as a community field. Ballyglass FC’s ground is called Michael Keaveney Park; the club has a floodlit training pitch, an all-weather pitch, a clubhouse and changing rooms. A tennis court behind Ballyglass Community Centre is available for free use by the local community.

Discover more destinations: Cornaroya, Bellagarvaun, Valley, Claremorris, Aghamore, Béal Easa, Tawnyinah, Bunnacurry

For the wider travel overview: County Mayo.