# Ballybay

Ballybay (Irish: Béal Átha Beithe, meaning 'mouth of the ford of the birch') is a town and civil parish in County Monaghan, Ireland. The town is centred on the crossroads of the R183 and R162 roads.

## Geography

The town is the meeting point for roads going to Monaghan, Castleblayney, Carrickmacross and Clones. The town grew up from the convergence of the roads. The town is built beside a large lake, Lough Major (Irish: Lough Mór) and the smaller Lough Minor. The Dromore River also runs through the south of the town, past Pearse Brother's Football Grounds, and past the Riverdale Hotel.

## History

Ballybay, originally known as ‘Ballybea’, was founded in the 18th century by members of the Jackson family, who were prominent in the linen industry. By the 19th century, Ballybay had become a thriving market town, hosting fairs, public meetings, and events that attracted organisers and traders from the surrounding areas.
The establishment of the Town Council in 1870 marked a significant development in Ballybay’s governance. In 1871, town commissioners held meetings with bank representatives, businessmen, and other stakeholders to discuss the town’s infrastructure and economic growth. These discussions led to improvements in water supply, street lighting, and waste management, contributing to the town’s modernisation.
During the height of the linen industry, Ballybay experienced a period of economic prosperity. However, the rise of industrialisation, including steam boilers and powered sails, led to the decline of the local linen trade.
By the time of the First World War, Ballybay had adapted to new economic realities, becoming a key horse trading post. This shift supported trades such as harness making, blacksmithing, and nail production. The town’s central marketplace remained vibrant, offering goods such as linseed, corn, meat, horses, and farm produce.

## Buildings of note

Ballybay Market House is a four-bay, two-storey building that was constructed in 1848.
St. Patrick’s Church (Roman Catholic) is the local Catholic Church located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clogher.
Second Presbyterian Church Ballybay represents Ballybay’s Presbyterian heritage.
Christ Church Ballybay is a Church of Ireland structure belonging to the Diocese of Clogher and is a prominent example of the Anglican tradition in the region.
Riverdale Hotel was once an essential part of Ballybay, the Riverdale Hotel provided accommodation and a social hub for residents and visitors. Though no longer operational, it remains a part of the town’s historical narrative.

## Transport
### Rail transport

Ballybay railway station opened on 17 July 1854, was closed to passenger traffic on 14 October 1957 and finally closed altogether on 1 January 1960. Part of the station office can be seen today. The railway line was opened in 1849 and extended west to Ballybay in 1854. After that, the railway system was named after the Northern Irish Railway and the Ulster Railway. It was called the Great Northern Railway (GNR). Emilie Leslie was involved in the planning of the railway. It was agreed that the station would be built to the south of the originally planned location and that the goods warehouse would be built to the east of the station house itself. The people were still using the train during the Second World War and more staff were hired at this time.

### Coach/bus transport

Local Link route M2 links the village with Monaghan several times daily Mondays to Saturdays inclusive. Collins Coaches provide a daily service from the town to Dublin via Carrickmacross, Ardee and Slane. Bus Éireann route 162 serves the town on schooldays linking Ballybay to Doohamlet, Castleblayney, Newbliss, Clones and Monaghan.

## Tourism

Today, Ballybay attracts tourists, nature enthusiasts, and bird watchers, thanks to its picturesque surroundings and growing reputation as a hub for outdoor activities. The town is home to the newly renovated Lake District, centred around Lough Major, a scenic lake known for its tranquil beauty and biodiversity. This area has become a popular destination for bird watchers, with its rich variety of local and migratory species. The region’s natural beauty and ecological diversity make it a perfect spot for wildlife enthusiasts looking to explore the outdoors.
In addition to bird watching, fishing is a major draw for visitors to Ballybay. The town hosts a number of fishing competitions throughout the year, attracting both local and international anglers. Lough Major and other nearby waterways provide ample opportunities for both freshwater and coarse fishing, making it a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts.
Another popular site is the Ballybay Wetlands Centre, which offers visitors the chance to explore the local wetlands, a haven for wildlife. The wetlands are ideal for bird watching and are home to various species of flora and fauna. The Centre also serves as a base for nature walks and guided hikes, giving visitors an immersive experience of the local environment.

## Sport

Ballybay has a strong tradition in Gaelic games, with its local GAA club, Ballybay Pearse Brothers. The club was founded in 1906 and competes in both county and provincial competitions. Its home ground, Pearse Park, is located on the outskirts of the town and serves as a hub for local sporting activities.
Since 1935, Ballybay Pearse Brothers have claimed the Monaghan Senior Football Championship title on nine occasions. Their most recent victory came in 2022. As of November 2019, three Ballybay players were members of the Monaghan senior football panel.

## In popular culture

Holly Johnson, singer and songwriter from the band Frankie Goes To Hollywood, has familial roots in Ballybay through the McGloughlin side of his family.
Folk musician Tommy Makem penned a lighthearted song titled “In the Town of Ballybay,” celebrating the town’s charm with humour and wit. This song remains a well-loved piece in Irish traditional music circles.
The Jackson family of Ballybay were historically associated with the United Irishmen movement. One notable figure, James Jackson, fled to the United States after the failed rebellion and became a politician and owner of the Forks of Cypress plantation. He is an ancestor of the acclaimed author Alex Haley and is a central figure in Haley’s book Queen: The Story of an American Family, which was later adapted into the miniseries Alex Haley’s Queen.

## Town twinning
### Twin towns – Sister cities

Ballybay is twinned with the town of Osterhofen/Gergweis in Bavaria, Germany. The idea of officially twinning with Gergweis originated during the 1997 All-Ireland Hurling Final, where Karl Heinz Herzegger, a frequent visitor to Ballybay, attended the event with local figures Martin McAviney and Joe O’Connell. Herzegger had been introduced to Ballybay by his good friend Werner Hanauer, a regular visitor to the town for 15 years. This long-standing connection resulted in numerous exchange visits between the two communities, with locals enjoying activities such as music, fishing, and the “craic.”
During a conversation about local governance, Herzegger, who was a member of his local authority in Osterhofen, and McAviney discussed the possibility of establishing an official twinning under the European Commission’s Town Twinning scheme. In January 1998, Ballybay Town Commissioners received a letter from Horst Eckl, the Mayor of Osterhofen, requesting the official twinning. The letter highlighted the deep friendship already established through personal contacts and mutual visits over the years.
In October 1998, a delegation from Ballybay, including Chairman Phillip Smith and Town Clerk Rosemary McManus, visited Osterhofen for the town’s Annual Irish Bayrisch Night, where they were warmly received. This visit served as an exploratory trip toward formalising the twinning agreement. In April 1999, a reciprocal visit from Osterhofen/Gergweis to Ballybay was planned, and following this, the twinning ceremony was arranged.
Ballybay’s twinning with Osterhofen, a small village in southeast Bavaria with 600 inhabitants, has strengthened the bond of friendship between the two communities. This partnership emphasises cultural exchange and community solidarity, aligning with the broader goals of the European Union’s Town Twinning initiative, which aims to promote understanding and cooperation between European communities.