Useful sources for Ballinasloe history
Articles
Harrison, [?], "Thomas Harrison, Local Surgeon and the Ballinasloe Dispensary"
Irish Family History Journal, 14 (1998).
Ireland, Aideen, "Clancarthy [sic] Correspondence 1785-1861", in: Journal of the Galway Archaeological & Historical Society, 46 (1994), pp. 197-202.
Contains a number of transcripts of correspondence written by members of the Clancarty family. However, mention of local events have not been included in the transcripts. The correspondence is held by the National Archives of Ireland, accession number 999/347.
Maguire, S. J., "Ballinasloe. The Flogging Parson Honorable and Venerable Charles Le Paor Trench, Archdeacon of Ardagh"
The Galway Reader, 3 (1950) 1-2, p. 97f.
A brief article on the controversial flogging by a woman by Charles le Paor Trench, who is commemorated by an impressive monument on Dunlo Hill.
"Printing in Ballinasloe, 1828-1900"
The Irish Book Lover, 12 (1916) 9-10, p. 147f.
A brief account of printing in Ballinasloe and a list of publications.
Stokes, G. T., "The Origin of the Ballinasloe October Fair" [Query]
Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 5th series, 3 (1893) 1, p. 88f.
Books/Pamphlets
Ballinasloe Union Agricultural Society, Principles, Rules, etc., Ballinasloe (Thomas French)
1840
Held in the Royal Irish Academy.
Ballinasloe Union Agricultural Society, Proceedings, etc., Ballinasloe (Thomas French)
1841
Held in the Royal Irish Academy.
Ballinasloe Union Agricultural Society, Proceedings, etc., Ballinasloe (Thomas French)
1843
Held in the Royal Irish Academy.
Ballinasloe Union Agricultural Society, Proceedings, etc., Ballinasloe (Thomas French)
1844
Held in the Royal Irish Academy.
Boland, John, A short history of the Ballinasloe Mercy Sisters, 1853-2003, Ballinasloe (KPW).
2003
A well-illustrated 24-page booklet commemorating 150 years of the Mercy Order in Ballinasloe.
Changes, Ballinasloe
1988
A 75-page booklet compiled by young travelling women, who participated in a community education project. Contains some articles on the history of travellers, including some insightful interviews.
Coisde Chuimhneacháin Céad Blian CLCG Béal Átha na Slua [Ballinasloe GAA Centenary Committee], Centenary Programme July 1984, Ballinasloe.
1984
A disappointing effort to commemorate the history of the largest sporting organisation in the town. It contains some snippets of information, and a few photographs.
Coláiste Seosaimh Naomhtha, Páirc Ghearr-bhaile, Beúl Átha na Sluagh - St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park, Ballinasloe, Galway.
[n.d. 1935]
A prospectus for the college, containing 13 quality photographs of the house (before the construction of the concert hall) and its gardens, including the lake and waterfall.
Comórodh 75ú Bliana de Chraobh Ghrealláin [75th Anniversary of St. Grellan's Branch], 1902-1977, Béal Átha na Slua (Craobh Ghrealláin).
1977
A booklet marking the 75th anniversary of St. Grellan's Branch of the Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League), founded in 1902. Still in existence, it is one of the oldest branches of the organisation in the country.
D'Arcy, Tony, Ballinasloe R.F.C, 1875-1975. Centenary Souvenir Programme, Ballinasloe (Kelly's Printing Works).
1975
A history of Ballinasloe Rugby Club, which, founded in 1875 makes it one of the oldest in Ireland.
Derrymullen Ball Alley Club - Official Opening Programme, Ballinasloe.
1985
A short pamphlet produced to coincide with the opening of the handball alley in Derrymullen on 14 December 1985. Contains a brief history of handballing in Ballinasloe.
Egan, Patrick K., Ballinasloe. A Historical Sketch, Ballinasloe (Ballinasloe Tostal Council).
1953
A short, 36-page history of Ballinasloe, from the time of St. Grellan to 1900.
Egan, Patrick K., The Parish of Ballinasloe. Its history from the Earliest Times to the Present Day, 1st ed., Dublin/London (Clonmore & Reynolds/Burns, Oates & Washbourne), 1960. 2nd ed., Galway (Kenny) 1994.
A seminal work in local history, which was one of the first of its kind and quality in Ireland. Fr. Egan's 365-page book covers the history of the Catholic parish in minute detail and is essential reading for the local historian. The second edition contains some minor factual corrections.
Farrell, Noel, Exploring Family Origins in Ballinasloe Town, Longford (Author).
1998
An invaluable resource for those tracing their family roots in Ballinasloe. The author has transcribed briefly the details of Griffith's Valuation 1858-1865 and the 1901 and 1911 censuses in a reference book that should be the first port of call for those contemplating genealogical research.
Kelly, Declan, Between the Lines of History, People of Ballinasloe, Vol. 1, Ballinasloe (Declan Kelly).
2000
This book outlines the personal biographies of almost 60 Ballinasloe citizens and offers a fascinating insight into everyday life in Ballinasloe in the 20th century. It also contains a number of previously unpublished photographs. It can be ordered from the author, whose address is: Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, and costs 5.
Mac Lochlainn, Tadhg, Ballinasloe Inniu agus Indhé. A story of a community over the past 200 years
Galway, 1972
The author's first work on local history and folklore. An extremely useful resource for the local historian.
Mac Lochlainn, Tadhg, A Fireside Story of the Parish of Creagh.
Ballinasloe, 1982
A booklet dealing with various aspects of Creagh parish.
Mac Lochlainn, Tadhg, A Signpost of Ballinasloe & District. Important people, places and events.
Ballinasloe, 1987
This booklet contains articles in the lives of prominent Ballinasloe citizens, the history of organisations as well as information on some local landmarks.
Molloy, Joe, (ed.), Ballinasloe Golf Club. Garbally to Rossgloss - A history of one hundred years of golf in Ballinasloe 1894-1994.
Ballinasloe, 1994
A booklet marking the centenary of Ballinasloe Golf Club. It contains a history of the club, lists of its principal officers, as well as photographs of teams and club members from over the years.
Scoil Ghrealláin Naofa - Caoga Blian ag Fás 1938-1988, Béal Átha na Slua (Scoil Ghrealláin Naofa), 1988 [St. Grellan's School - 50 years of growth, 1938-1988]
Ballinasloe (St. Grellan\'s), 1988.
This commemorative book published to mark the 50th anniversary of St. Grellan's Boys' National School contains numerous articles by both past and present staff and pupils. It also contains plenty of class photographs from over the years.
Town Hall Theatre Ballinasloe. Blessing and Official Opening on Thursday, 6th April 1989.
Ballinasloe, 1989
Souvenir brochure marking the re-opening of the Town Hall in 1989. Contain a history of the Hall, as well as of the numerous organisations that made use of it over the years such as the Relay's Drama Group, St. Vincent de Paul, Ballinasloe Social Club, Ballinasloe Town Band, Ballinasloe Choral Society, the Credit Union and the Dunlo Singers. The photographs are of considerable historical importance.
Newspapers
The Western Argus
(1828-1833, weekly)
A newspaper with O'Connellite sympathies published by John Mahon.
The Western Star
(4 Oct 1845-10 May 1902, weekly)
Edited by S. J. and later by H. J. McClenaghan, who owned a printing press on Dunlo Street where Kelso's Garage is now located. Robert Hood Smythe of Society Street was the proprietor in 1859.
The Connacht People and Ballinasloe Independent
(1884-1886, weekly)
Edited by H. J. McClenaghan, who owned a printing press on Dunlo Street where Kelso's Garage is now located.
The Loughrea Nationalist
(1905, weekly)
Edited by H. J. McClenaghan, who owned a printing press on Dunlo Street where Kelso's Garage is now located. Despite its title, the paper was published in Ballinasloe.
The Western News and Weekly Examiner
(1878-1892, weekly)
The Western News advocated a conservative/unionist line and was under the editorship of W. Hastings, who operated a printing press on Dunlo Street.
The Western News
(1 Oct 1898-31 Dec 1898, 23 Mar 1901-1920)
The Western News advocated a conservative/unionist line and was under the editorship of W. Hastings, who operated a printing press on Dunlo Street.
The Western News & Galway Guardian
(16 Dec 1899-16 Mar 1901)
The Western News advocated a conservative/unionist line and was under the editorship of W. Hastings, who operated a printing press on Dunlo Street.
The Western News & Galway Leader
(1921-1926)
The Western News advocated a conservative/unionist line and was under the editorship of W. Hastings, who operated a printing press on Dunlo Street.
The Connacht Leader
(1900-1907, weekly)
Nationalist in sympathies, the principal shareholders of this newspaper were: Fr. Joyce, S. Ceallaigh, Nicholas O'Carroll, Tom Mannion and others.
The East Galway Democrat
(1910-1949, weekly)
Edited by Nicholas O'Carroll.
The Connacht Tribune
(22 May 1909-present, weekly)
Published in Galway City, the "Ballinasloe Notes" column is a useful source for Ballinasloe history.
Western Herald
(17 December 1949-1948, weekly)
Edited by Michel Ceallachin, the paper had its offices on Main Street. It was printed at the Herald Works, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. The newspaper was sympathetic to Fianna Fil.
The Ballinasloe Herald and East Galway Democrat
(12 October 1985-1986, weekly)
Published by the Tuam Herald, this paper was edited by David Burke.
Zenith
(1994-1995, monthly)
An informative magazine which examined aspects of the town's history and which took a critical look at current affairs during the 1990s.
The Fast Guide
(1997-1998, monthly)
A listings guide.
Periodicals/Journals
Gearrbhaile [Garbally]
(1920s-1960s, annual)
Published by St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park, Gearrbhaile was written through the medium of Irish. The annual contained articles on a wide range of literary and historical topics as well as chronicling the academic, cultural and sporting life of the students of the college.
The Fountain
(1974-present, annual)
The Fountain effectively replaced Gearrbhaile as the Garbally school annual. Written primarily but not exclusively in English, it serves as a forum for the literary and artistic skills of the school's students and teachers.
Echoes
(1980s-present, annual)
Echoes is the annual of Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe's secondary school for girls.
Smaointe
(1990s, sporadic)
The annual of the students of St. Michael's Vocational School.
Useful sources for Ballinasloe history
