Live in Ballina

Living in Ballina

Situated at the heart of the scenic Moy Valley Region of Mayo North and West Sligo, along the Wild Atlantic Way, lies the vibrant urban hub of Ballina offering an unrivalled quality of life in the West of Ireland. If you’re considering a change of pace and a move to the West, read on …

Population

Ballina has a population of over 10,000, making it the second-largest town in Connacht, behind Castlebar.

Check out the 2011 Census Profile for Ballina

Affordable Accommodation – find your dream home

As of January 2016, the average price of a house in Co Mayo was €122,000, versus the national average asking price of €204,000. In line with national trends, house prices in Mayo rose by an average of 6 percent in 2015, compared to the national average of 8.5 percent.

A warm welcome …

There’s a warmth and welcome awaiting you in the West, where you’ll get to know your neighbours and better still; they’ll become your friends.

A safe and vibrant night-time economy

In 2014, Ballina became the first town in Connacht to secure a Purple Flag award. This internationally recognised accreditation for towns and city centres was awarded in recognition of the town’s vibrant, varied and safe night-time economy, and became only the fifth fifth location nationally to have achieved the standard necessary for the awarding of the Flag, following Dublin City’s Creative Quarter, the towns of Ennis, Killarney and Bray.

Town centres that receive the award must score highly in wellbeing (safety and cleanliness), movement (traffic flow and public transport), broad appeal (appeal for people of all ages and interests), place (vitality and cultural stimulation), and policy envelope. It is the “gold standard” for night time destinations, and is similar to the Blue Flag given to our finest beaches and the Green Flag that flies in our most eco-friendly schools.

Ballina Purple Flag Committee proudly display their award. Pic: Annette Maughan

Things to do …

We can guarantee that you will never be bored in Ballina. There are almost 100 active groups and clubs in operation, catering for almost every interest from Archery to Zumba! If fitness is your thing, you can take your pick from cycling, athletics, swimming, yoga, rugby squash, basketball, gaelic football, hillwalking, triathlon and soccer, among many more. If it’s something less physical you’re after, take your pick from the mix of amateur drama groups, choirs, art clubs, Macra ne Feirme and other welcoming groups. No matter what your age or interests, there is always something to do in Ballina.

Local media

The Western People, owned by the Cork-based Thomas Crosbie Holdings is a local newspaper based in Ballina. Two weekly freesheets, the Mayo Advertiser and The Northwest Express are distributed throughout Ballina. The Connaught Telegraph, published in Castlebar and the Mayo News published in Westport, also carry local news. Ballina Community Radio is based in the town and regional station Mid West Radio has an office in the town.

Places to Learn

Ballina has a number of primary schools as follows:

The Quay National School
Scoil Naisiunta Naomh Padraig (St. Padraig’s)
Scoil Íosa,
Educate Together, Newtownwhite
Rehins National School
Breaffy National School
Culleens National School
St. Michael’s National School
St. Dympna’s Special School

Other local schools include Ardagh NS (National School), Foxford Central National School, Shraheen NS, Cloghans NS, Behy NS, Knockanillo NS, Killala NS, Garracloon NS, Scoil Naisiúnta Naomh Seosamh, Carra NS, Scoil Naisiunta Na Craobhaighe, Cooneal NS, Currabaggan NS, Crossmolina NS and Culleens NS.

Secondary

The town boasts three secondary schools:

St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina (girls)
St. Muredach’s College, Ballina (boys)
Moyne College (mixed).

Neighbouring towns Foxford, Crossmolina, Lacken and Enniscrone also have second-level schools:

St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford
Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina
St. Patrick’s College, Lacken Cross
Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone

The Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology campus in Castlebar is a 35-minute drive from Ballina.
The Newman Institute offers third level degrees in Theology and Community Involvement.
Institute of Technology, Sligo (IT Sligo) is just under an hour’s drive from Ballina.
The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), as well as being located just 1.5 hours away, will have a presence in the town from 2017 with the opening of the Mary Robinson Centre.

Easy access to third-level education means Ballina can provide many of its local businesses with qualified graduates in a range of fields including Business, Science & Technology and Engineering.