Ballymahon

Province

Ballymahon ( Irish: Baile Uí Mhatháin ) on the River Inny is a city in the south of County Longford in Ireland. It lies about 22 km west from the district capital of Longford Town.

Location

The River Inny, a tributary of the Shannon flows from Lough Derravaragh westwards through Ballymahon to Lough Ree where it discharges into the River Shannon. The 146 km long Royal Canal, which was restored some time ago and Dublin connects with the Shannon, also has a connection to the city.

History

The name Ballymahon derives from the Gaelic Baile Mathuna ( " Mahon's City "). Mahon ( Mathgamain mac Cennétig ) was an Irish clan chief, elder brother of Brian Boru, who beat a battle for 960 in the vicinity of Ballymahon at Sruaith Fhuil ( "river of blood" ), in which O'Rourke of Cavan of Brefni against Mahon subject.

Attractions

• St. Catherine 's Church, built in 1800, with its spire, a view of the city.
• Ballymahon Mill, built in 1839, now restored as a private residence, located on the southern edge of the Inny River Bridge.
• St. Matthew 's Church, built in 1906 in Gothic style, situated in the northwest of the city.
• Other monuments are Newcastle House (built 1710-1860 ), Castle Core House (built 1740-1765 ), Ledwithstown House ( 1746 ), the Bank of Ireland ( 1869) and the Convent of Mercy ( 1882).

Culture and Sport

The writer Oliver Goldsmith was born on November 10, 1728 in a small neighboring town, his statue stands on the main road from Ballymahon. The music-hall star Gertie Gitana had in the early twenties of the last century, a nostalgic hit with " There's a cottage in Ballymahone ".

In the city there is the Bog Lane Theatre, a Gaelic Athletic Association Gaelic Football Club, a football club Soccer Club Ballymahon AFC and the Inny Kayak Club. This club organizes boat trips on the River Inny, which is also a popular fishing spot for trout.