 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2007) |
Balla
Balla | |
|---|---|
Village | |
.jpg) | |
  Balla Location in Ireland | |
| Coordinates: 53°48′18″N 9°07′42″W / 53.805°N 9.1283°W | |
| Country | Ireland |
| Province | Connacht |
| County | County Mayo |
| Elevation | 37 m (121 ft) |
| Population (2016)[1] | |
| • Total | 769 |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-1 (IST (WEST)) |
| Irish Grid Reference | M255844 |
Balla (pronounced Bal) (Irish: Balla, meaning 'wall')[2][3] is a town in County Mayo, Ireland on the N60 National secondary road, the main road between Castlebar and Claremorris. The economy of the village survives mainly on passing trade, from the busy N60 which carries over 7,000 vehicles through the town every day. It is notable for its round tower. The town is in a townland and civil parish of the same name.[3] It used to be a significant shop and market centre. It fell into decline and lost its railway station, but has enjoyed something of a revival as a residential area for people working in Castlebar.
In early times the village was known as 'Ros Dairbhreach', meaning 'The Height of the Oak Wood'. The continuing importance of the oak to the local community is reflected in the appropriately named "Dawn Oak 2000" project. At the beginning of the 21st century, 2000 oak trees were planted, creating a new wood in Balla's town park.
- ^ "Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Settlements Balla". Central Statistics Office (Ireland). Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ^ A Dictionary of Irish Place Names by Adrian Room, published by Appletree Press 1988
- ^ a b "Balla". logainm.ie. Retrieved 13 January 2023.