Ballaghaderreen

The population was 2,387 in the 2022 census.

• Name — Ballaghaderreen • Native Name — Bealach an Doirín • Native Name Lang — ga • Settlement Type — Town • Image Skyline — Durkin's Hotel, Ballaghaderreen - geograph.org.uk - 674168.jpg • Image Caption — Businesses on the square in Ballaghaderreen • Pushpin Map — Ireland • Pushpin Label Position — right • Pushpin Map Caption — Location in Ireland • Subdivision Type — Country • Subdivision Name — Ireland • Subdivision Type1 — Province • Subdivision Name1 — Connacht • Subdivision Type3 — County • Subdivision Name3 — County Roscommon • Unit Pref — Metric • Population As Of — 2022 • Population Total — 2387 • Timezone1 — WET • Utc Offset1 — +0 • Timezone1 Dst — IST (WEST) • Utc Offset1 Dst — +1 • Blank Name — Irish Grid Reference Ballaghaderreen is a town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It was part of County Mayo until 1899. It is in the north-west of the county, near the borders with counties Mayo and Sligo, just off the N5 road. The population was 2,387 in the 2022 census.

As of 1837, the town was recorded as having 1147 inhabitants in about 200 houses and as "rising in importance" as a post-town, being on the (then) new mail coach road from Ballina to Longford. As of the mid-19th century, markets were held on Fridays, with seven fairs held throughout the year. A courthouse, market house and an infantry barracks to accommodate 94 persons had all been established by that time. In 1860, Ballaghaderreen Cathedral was dedicated as the cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Achonry. In March 2017, Ballaghaderreen became an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) for hundreds of refugees from the Syrian Civil War. In April 2018, the community was honoured with a People of the Year Award for welcoming the refugees into the community.

• Illustration — Ballaghaderreen in 2008 Ballaghadereen is part of the Barony of Costello and in the parish of Kilcoleman. Ballaghaderreen has been part of County Roscommon since 1899 when the town and parish of Ballaghaderreen and Edmondstown were transferred from County Mayo in an order under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898. The local Gaelic Athletic Association team has remained affiliated with the Mayo GAA county board.

The local Gaelic football club is Ballaghaderreen GAA. It is affiliated with the Mayo GAA county board. Ballaghaderreen FC, the local association football (soccer) club, was founded in 1967.

Ballaghaderreen was previously located on the N5 national primary road linking Longford to Westport. However, the town was bypassed in September 2014 with the re-routing of the N5 to the north of the town. The nearest railway stations are in Castlerea (21 km) and Boyle (26 km). Ballaghaderreen was previously served by the Ballaghaderreen branch line from Kilfree Junction, with Ballaghaderreen railway station having opened on 2 November 1874 and closed permanently on 4 February 1963. The station house remains standing, in a state of severe dereliction, just off Station Road. Ballaghaderreen is on the main Dublin–Ballina bus route and there are several buses daily serving this route. Ireland West Airport is 15 km to the west.

• Anne Deane, nationalist, businesswoman and philanthropist • John Blake Dillon, writer, politician, and founding member of the Young Ireland movement • James Dillon, politician, leader of the opposition and leader of Fine Gael • Dermot Flanagan, Gaelic footballer • Thomas Flynn, Bishop of Achonry • Pearce Hanley, Australian Rules footballer • Garry Hynes, first female Tony Award winner for direction of a play • Matt Molloy, Irish flute player • Andy Moran, Gaelic footballer • Patsy McGarry Irish Times journalist • Máire McDonnell-Garvey, traditional Irish musician • John O'Gorman, piper • Brian O'Doherty, writer, artist, art critic and academic • William Partridge, trade unionist and revolutionary socialist