Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo - History 2

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Ballinrobe is located in the county of Mayo, is 120 miles west of Dublin, 14 miles by east of Castlebar, 15 south-east of Westport, 21 south-3ast of Newport, 30 south of Ballina, and in the patronage of Colonel Cuff, M.P.

It is a small neat town, consisting of several streets, pleasantly situated on a considerable eminence, and commanding from all points extensive prospects of a delightful and richly varied country.

Churches

The church is a plain neat edifice, but has little else to recommend it to public notice; the incumbent is the very Rev. Thos. John Burgh, Dean of Cloyne, and the Rev. Robt. Potter is Curate.   The Roman Catholic Chapel in Bridge-street is tolerably well and substantially built; the duty is at present performed by the Rev. Michael Green.

Antiquity

Ballinrobe possesses great claim to antiquity, and was formerly considered of much more importance than it is now;

Garrisons

As a garrison-town it has long been distinguished and is at present the head quarters of a regiment of cavalry. The barracks (once the residence of Lord Tyrawly) stand unequalled, for their beautiful, healthy convenient and romantic situation of the banks of the river Robe, from which the town derives its name.

Market

The Market and Court House is a plain stone building, in which are held quarter sessions, besides weekly petty sessions.

The market is held every Monday, and is generally well attended; a linen market is also about to be established, which will be held on the same day. Ballinrobe has a fair on Whit-Tuesday, and another on the 5th of December. The population is about 1,000.