Ballaghaderreen is a small town in west County Roscommon, close to the borders of counties Sligo and Mayo. The Gaelic name of the town is 'Bealach an Doirin' meaning "the way of the little oak" and is often referred to by locals as "Ballagh".

Ballaghaderreen is the cathedral town for the Catholic diocese of Achonry, the smallest in Ireland, which includes parts of Counties Sligo, Mayo, and Roscommon; St Nathys Cathedral was built between 1856 and 1890. The town has many interesting sights, including Saint Nathys College was originally a British military barracks and later became the diocesan secondary school for Achonry. The Four Altars is an unusual ancient monument, located about 2 miles from the town on the Sligo road. In penal times when the practice of the Catholic religion was prohibited by law, Mass was celebrated here. Ballaghaderreen Museum is located very close to St. Nathys College and contains many items of interest. The Dillon House is the former home of the famous Dillon family, located in a central position on the town square.

For more info on Ballaghaderreen check out the local website at www.ballaghaderreen.com

Clan Name

Ballaghaderreen is part of the ancestral home of the Costelloes and forms a stage of the Beara-Breifne Greenway which is based on the historic march of O'Sullivan Beara in 1603.

Heritage House

For info on the Dillion House, Ballaghaderreen click here

Greenways Festival 2003

Ballygar is talking part in the Greenways Festival in summer 2003 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the legendary 1603 march of O’Sullivan Beara from the Beara Peninsula to the Breifne area. Click here for info on the events