Ballina, County Tipperary

History

Ballina was, along with Killaloe on the other bank, an important stopping point for barges traveling up the River Shannon. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, bargemen would pass through Ballina on their way to deliver goods to Dublin. However, this began to decline when train lines were set up to link it to other major lines, making the transport of goods cheaper. As a result, the barges, while returning for a brief period during the Emergency (1939–1945), had disappeared by the 1920s and 1930s. Having been replaced by new lines which linked Limerick directly to Dublin and falling into disrepair, the railway tracks were removed in the 1950s.

During the Irish War of Independence (1919–1921), four young men were shot on the road bridge between Ballina and Killaloe as suspected IRA men by the Black and Tans and auxiliaries. There is commemorative plaque on the bridge, close to where the men were shot.

Transport

The main crossing point between Ballina and Killaloe is Killaloe Bridge, an eighteenth-century single-lane bridge. For a long period, there was no traffic control system present on the bridge. While it was possible for cars to pass each other, it was difficult for HGVs and cars, and impossible for two HGVs, to pass. This led to the introduction of a traffic light system which, while leading to delays at peak times, improved safety and traffic flow on the bridge.

In December 2006, North Tipperary County Council sought tenders for a 'design and build' contract for a new crossing on the Shannon. As of October 2021, reports suggested that "Spring 2022" was a "target for the commencement of construction". A "sod turning" ceremony was held in late 2022, at which point the projected completion date was updated to 2024.

Population

Identified as a "service town" in the North Tipperary County Development Plan 2010–2016, Ballina saw "record" population growth in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In the 20 years between the 1991 and 2011 census, Ballina's population grew by more than 500%, from 477 to 2,442 inhabitants. As of the 2016 census of Ireland, the town had a population of 2,632.

Sport

Ballina has a Gaelic games club which is made up of Ballina and Boher. In 1885 Ballina GAA club was formally established. At a convention in Nenagh on Sunday 20 November 1887, 35 affiliated clubs were represented by their respective delegates. This list of 35 included two from the parish, namely Ballina and Boher. In 1902 Michael Minihan of Boher became North Tipperary Chairman. In 1883 a Ballina / Boher combination under the name of Kincora, beat Killaloe. Which is one of the first inter-county games on record, with Kincora recording a victory of 2–1 to 0–1.

Mark Van Drumpt, who served as lead physiotherapist for the Limerick county hurling team during its 2018 and 2020 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winning campaigns, lived in Ballina.

References

References

1. "Census 2016 Sapmap Area: Settlements Ballina". [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]].
2. "Béal an Átha / Ballina (see archival records)". Placenames Database of Ireland.
3. (July 2021). "Killaloe-Ballina - Town Enhancement & Mobility Plan - July 2021". Clare County Council.
4. "Killaloe I.R.A. Memorial".
5. "Killaloe Bridge Murders - 17 Nov 1920".
6. "Shannon Bridge". North Tipperary County Council.
7. (12 October 2021). "Killaloe Bypass & Bridge Crossing 'the single biggest influence on entire East Clare community'". Clare Echo.
8. (3 November 2022). "Sod turned on Killaloe Bypass/Shannon Bridge Crossing".
9. (3 November 2022). "Killaloe bypass to be built as part of €44m road improvements scheme". RTÉ.
10. (7 June 2003). "Ballina-Killaloe population to grow to 5,000 by 2007". Independent News & Media.
11. "Ballina (Ireland) Census Town".
12. "Ballina Tipperary - History Hurling".
13. (18 February 2021). "Limerick pay tribute to late physio Mark van Drumpt". RTÉ.