Ballyglass Bridge is a single-arch road bridge over Ballyglass Lough and has stood since 1894. It is an essential part of the 19th-century civil engineering heritage of southern County Mayo. Ballyglass lies in a fertile strip of land extending across the boundaries of Mayo Abbey and Carnacon. The bridge provides a clear introduction to the history of construction; the strip of land also places the village within its rural surroundings.
Turloughs and Natural History
Ballyglass Turlough has a turlough area of 25.9 hectares. There are three turloughs in the area around Ballyglass; the largest, or most important, is in Carrowhall and is notable for its natural history. The area figure and the number of turloughs describe different things: 25.9 hectares refers to Ballyglass Turlough, while the three turloughs are in the area around Ballyglass. 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.
Transport and Historic Buildings
The history of transport can also be traced through specific landmarks. Ballyglass was once a stopping place for Bianconi coaches, which predated the railway. The Ballyglass Garda Barracks building was originally built as a hotel, ahead of the anticipated rerouting of the Claremorris–Westport railway line through Ballyglass. The Old Ground Pub was originally built as a warehouse; Murphys Guest House first served as a courthouse. Ballyglass Community Centre is housed in a former national school, which was renovated and modernised after 1986.
Ballyglass Heritage Club Events
The Ballyglass Heritage Club’s annual vintage events 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 a particular event is important to your trip, check the event dates in advance.
Cultural History in County Mayo
In County Mayo, the National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park presents Ireland’s rural past through objects, rare archival photographs and films. Workshops, talks and guided tours are offered there throughout the year. The gardens at Turlough Park are home to a diverse range of birdlife, flora and fauna, and are designated a Green Heritage site. So, as well as Ballyglass’s local architectural and natural history, County Mayo offers a museum and garden attraction of its own. For travel within County Mayo, the daily bus service to the museum is a practical option: Mayo Local Link route 454 connects the National Museum at Turlough Park with Castlebar and Ballina. Check the timetable for the day of your visit.
Discover more destinations: Finny, Killadoon, Neale, Murrisk, Ross Port, Mayo, Toormakeady, Crossmolina
For the regional travel overview: County Mayo.
