This page is part of an Irish genealogy web site 'From Ireland' ©Dr. Jane Lyons, Dublin, Ireland.
County Longford, Ireland
Civil Parishes
Ballymahon
descriptions from Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, 1837
Ballymahon Civil Registration District, BMD reference extracts
BALLYMAHON, a market and post-town, in the parish of SHRUEL, barony of RATHCLINE, county of LONGFORD, and province of LEINSTER, 16½ miles (W.) from Mullingar, and 55 miles (W.) from Dublin; containing 1081 inhabitants.
This place is supposed to have derived its name from Mahon, King of Thomond, who, according to O'Halloran and other writers, defeated Fergal, son of Ruarc, in a great battle which took place here in 960. There was formerly a castle of considerable strength, but nothing now remains except some of the arches, upon which a dwelling house has been erected. The town is pleasantly situated on the river Inney, over which is a bridge of five arches and on the road from Longford to Athlone; and though possessing no features of attraction in itself, derives much interest from the beauty of the scenery in its environs. Weaving was formerly carried on to some extent, but has for some time been discontinued, and at present its trade is principally with the neighbouring towns of Longford, Mullingar, Edgeworth's-town, Athlone, Moate, and Lanesborough, with respect to an of which it is conveniently situated. The Royal Canal passes near the town in its course from Dublin to Tarmonbarry, and a boat for the conveyance of passengers and goods to Dublin passes daily.
The market is on Thursday, chiefly for the sale of provisions; and fairs are held on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, May 11th, Aug. 11th, and Nov. 21st : the May fair is much resorted to by graziers, and is considered one of the best in the province for cattle. The market-house, a commodious building, is situated in the centre of the town; and over it is a large room in which the sessions are held. A chief constabulary police force is stationed in the town ; and the quarter sessions for the county are held here, alternately with Longford, four times in the year, for the trial of civil bills only. Petty sessions for the division are also held every Monday.
The parish church
is situated in the town; in which are also a spacious Roman Catholic chapel,
and the residence of the R. C. Bishop of Ardagh, who officiates as
parish priest; and a dispensary under the superintendence or a resident physician.
Goldsmith, the poet, who was born at Palice, in the adjoining
parish of Forgney, passed several years of
his childhood in this town, where he lived with his widowed mother; and some
years since a meeting was held here to make arrangements for erecting a monument
to his memory near the place of his nativity,
Back to Top - From Ireland Home page - Longford page - Lewis Longford Index
Main Lewis Index (all counties) - Irish Historical /Genealogical Maps - Past Homes Ltd. U.K.
Indices on
CD ROM/Books
Irish Flax Growers List - Tithe Applotment books - An Index to the Griffiths Valuation
A Guide to Irish Churches and Graveyards - A Guide to Irish Parish Registers
A New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland - Index to the Prerogative Wills of Ireland, 1536-1810
Irish Immigrants to North America - Irish Source Records -
Irish to America, 1846-1865 : Passenger & Immigration lists
New York, 1820-1850: Passenger & Immigration lists -
Emigrants from Ireland, 1847 -1852: State aided emigration from Crown estates
Ireland & Irish Emigration to the New World, 1815 to the Famine
The Search for Missing Friends. Irish Immigrant Advertisements placed in the Boston Pilot 1831-1920
Lewis CD: Lewis's Gazeteer of England, Ireland and Scotland
URL http://www.from-ireland.net
©Dr. Jane Lyons, Dublin & Co. Laois 2001-2004
