People

This category is devoted to the people and families who lived, worked or played in Ballinrobe, its neighbouring towns and the surrounding townlands.   You might find an article on an individual or whole families here.  Some are well-known; some are not. Some are historical figures and some are alive today.

We welcome suggestions for other people to include.   If you have a memory of people or a person, please help us record it here.   All too often we leave things on the 'long finger' and then their story will be lost forever!  

Please take just a little time to add either a story or a comment and leave a record for future generations.

Page link:
Page link:
"Running home - to Ballinrobe" John Finn's song and video clip about the town in which he grew up - Ballinrobe.
Banjo now added - Performed by Ivan Murray (Vocals), Anna Falkenau (Fiddle) & Johnny Finn (Guitar & Banjo))
Page link: 1990 Mayo junior football semi-final
1990 Mayo junior football semi-final
Ballinrobe team that qualified for (and later won) the final
Page link: A Ballinrobe Historian
A Ballinrobe Historian
Mr. Jim Keirans RIP
Page link: Active Retirement Group
Active Retirement Group
ARA Ballinrobe's vibrant Group
Page link: Ballinrobe - Kevin McDarby photographs
Ballinrobe - Kevin McDarby photographs
A diverse range of images from Ballinrobe donated by Kevin McDarby
Page link: Ballinrobe - Race Course History - Part 1.
Ballinrobe - Race Course History - Part 1.
Interview with Mr. Jimmy Tierney RIP on aspects of the course's history in 1998
Page link: Ballinrobe - Summer 1971
Ballinrobe - Summer 1971
Fun day of games and races around the town
Page link: Ballinrobe 1923
Ballinrobe 1923
The Christian Brothers Concert, Sunday 3rd of April, 1923
Page link: Ballinrobe 1953
Ballinrobe 1953
ICA Guild Concert at the Town Hall
Page link: Ballinrobe and the Great War
Ballinrobe and the Great War
Men killed in action
Page link: Ballinrobe Boy Scouts c. 1975
Ballinrobe Boy Scouts c. 1975
Trip to Rome & Switzerland
Page link: Ballinrobe Boys
Ballinrobe Boys
Recognise any of these young men?
Page link: Ballinrobe Boys Confirmation class 1932
Ballinrobe Boys Confirmation class 1932
Do you know anybody in this rare photo?
Page link: Ballinrobe during the 'Emergency'
Ballinrobe during the 'Emergency'
Red Cross ladies late 1940s early 1950s
Page link: Ballinrobe families who would have lived here from 1930s onwards
Ballinrobe families who would have lived here from 1930s onwards
Nora O'Donnell, Anne O'Donnell, N. Gleeson, Josie O'Donnell, Ruby Wynne, Christy Power, Micko Sweeney, Gus Lydon, Bernie O'Keefe, T. Hession, Mary Burke.
Page link: Ballinrobe GAA Club stage final 'election rally'
Ballinrobe GAA Club stage final 'election rally'
Support event to elect Adrian Flannery as Mayor
Page link: Ballinrobe Holy Communion 1949/50
Ballinrobe Holy Communion 1949/50
Names added to photo kindly donated by Kevin McDarby by Hugh McTigue
Page link: Ballinrobe Jail and General Kennedy's Regiment
Ballinrobe Jail and General Kennedy's Regiment
Extract from the London Chronicle 1757
Page link: Ballinrobe man Edward Jennings VC
Ballinrobe man Edward Jennings VC
Born in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Page link: Ballinrobe Mask Players -
Ballinrobe Mask Players - "The importance of being Ernest" Do you know what year this play took place?
Caroline Barry, Michael Coen, Chris Farragher, Paul Howie, Hilary Jenkinson, Gerry Kilroy, Maura Lydon, Shelia Reaney, Joan Sweeney, Des Tracey & Seamus Mac Eachmharcaigh
Page link: Ballinrobe Memories
Ballinrobe Memories
Extract from article 'Memories' in A chronicle of Ballinrobe
Page link: Ballinrobe native James Joseph O'Shaughnessy
Ballinrobe native James Joseph O'Shaughnessy
Extract from newspaper, date or publication unknown
Page link: Ballinrobe's American soldiers.
Ballinrobe's American soldiers.
From Cornaroya to Korea
Page link: Ballinrobe's Historic Sites Walk
Ballinrobe's Historic Sites Walk
Walk took place on Wednesday 24th August 2011
Page link: Ballinrobe: Fr. Edward Crosby
Ballinrobe: Fr. Edward Crosby
Affectionately called Fr. Ned
Page link: Balllinrobe man John Joe Rochford's recollections
Balllinrobe man John Joe Rochford's recollections
Transcribed by Mary Coyne from 1st issue c. 1985 of the Evesdropper Magazine
Page link: Barrett the Tumbler (lived in Ballinrobe)
Barrett the Tumbler (lived in Ballinrobe)
"You are the man who breaks stones on your chest and takes pins and swallows them" said the Justice.
Page link: Bernie Sears
Bernie Sears
A Local Postman's memories
Page link: Bicycle Aid 1986 - from The Evesdropper
Bicycle Aid 1986 - from The Evesdropper
Kay Tracey, Michael Kelly, Timmy Kelly, Val Gannon, Ken Murphy, Michael Flannery, John Cummins, T. J. Quinn, Mrs. Diane Mulvey, Mrs. Seamus Langan and many more..........
Page link: Biggins Family
Biggins Family
Ballinrobe Branch
Page link: Bioghraphy of Mary Robinson
Bioghraphy of Mary Robinson
Former Irish President and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Page link: Boycott story - His home was close to Ballinrobe
Boycott story - His home was close to Ballinrobe
The Boycotts shopped in Ballinrobe and visited their friends in the Barracks regularly
Page link: Captain Boycott
Captain Boycott
Taken from: Irish Tourist Association Survey, 1945 - ITA/3/10 (87) - Mayo Co. Library, Castlebar.
Page link: Celebrating Our Irish Women
Celebrating Our Irish Women
Would you like to acknowledge An Irish Woman?
Page link: Christmas 1915 -
Christmas 1915 - "Silent Night" By Jerry Lynch
We have chosen this recording to wish you all, wherever you are in the world, a very Happy Christmas or Holiday Season
Page link: Convent School in the 1930s
Convent School in the 1930s
Ann Gallagher among Ballinrobe students
Page link: Convicts Tried at Ballinrobe Courthouse or Ballinrobe Natives Transported or Jailed
Convicts Tried at Ballinrobe Courthouse or Ballinrobe Natives Transported or Jailed
John Philibin, James Halloran, Thomas Murphy, Arthur Broustere, James Roland etc...
Page link: Costello/McDermott charity cycle from Galway to Ballinrobe
Costello/McDermott charity cycle from Galway to Ballinrobe
c. 1980's Kindly Donated by Joe Byrne
Page link: Cousins in Ballinrobe
Cousins in Ballinrobe
Patrick Brown was my Gr Gr Grandfather
Page link: Creagh House, Plan of Altar
Creagh House, Plan of Altar
St Theresa's Sanatorium
Page link: David Shaw Smith
David Shaw Smith
Maker of the 'Hands' series
Page link: Deepest sympathy to the Flannery Family, Ballinrobe
Deepest sympathy to the Flannery Family, Ballinrobe
Martin Flannery - long connection with Ballinrobe GAA
Page link: Dr. Noel Brown's house
Dr. Noel Brown's house
Church Lane, Ballinrobe
Page link: Dr. Shelia Mulloy & Ballinrobe Courthouse
Dr. Shelia Mulloy & Ballinrobe Courthouse
Dr. Mulloy's research informed us about the Courthouse
Page link: Dr. Shelia Mulloy & Ballinrobe Courthouse
Dr. Shelia Mulloy & Ballinrobe Courthouse
Dr. Mulloy's research informed us on Ballinrobe Courthouse
Page link: Edward Slevin
Edward Slevin
"One of the most dangerous characters in the country"
Page link: Fair Day, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo July 1961
Fair Day, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo July 1961
Kindly donated by Patricia Roberts (nee McDonnell) and collected by Mary Tiernan
Page link: Feeney Family
Feeney Family
Winifred Feeney 1872 - 1948 & Martin Feeney 1861 - 1950
Page link: Felix Waitkus
Felix Waitkus
A 'lucky' Pilot's crash in Ballinrobe
Page link: First Lady's visit to Ballinrobe
First Lady's visit to Ballinrobe
Mrs. Nixon drops into Ballinrobe
Page link: Fr. Valkenburg of Ballinrobe - Photos
Fr. Valkenburg of Ballinrobe - Photos
Visit to Inchagoill Island
Page link: Frances and Bridget O'Malley
Frances and Bridget O'Malley
Bunnacrower, Co. Mayo
Page link: Going back for the future
Going back for the future
Ballinrobe's older people embrace new tech to preserve local history and skills.
Page link: Grandfather of Marie Finnerty of Creagh
Grandfather of Marie Finnerty of Creagh
Larry Griffin: The Missing Postman
Page link: Grandmother was born in Ballinrobe on St. Patrick's Day in 1881
Grandmother was born in Ballinrobe on St. Patrick's Day in 1881
Janet Duprey, 114th Assembly District, New York State, USA
Page link: Green Are the Hills Far Away by Kathleen O'Toole O'Connell
Green Are the Hills Far Away by Kathleen O'Toole O'Connell
Ballinrobe - Posthumous release of memoir by native of Ballinrobe
Page link: Greetings from Chicago
Greetings from Chicago
Pat McAndrew
Page link: Historical fiction in Mayo
Historical fiction in Mayo
Interaction with Ballinrobe
Page link: Home before Dark
Home before Dark
A Story intertwined with Historical Facts
Page link: Ireland's only FREE monthly GENEALOGY e-Magazine
Ireland's only FREE monthly GENEALOGY e-Magazine
Ballinrobe people may find the past Mayo article useful
Page link: Jack O'Malley
Jack O'Malley
Gallows Hill
Page link: James May, born Ballinrobe 1849
James May, born Ballinrobe 1849
Lived in PA and Wisconsin
Page link: John Joe Rochford
John Joe Rochford
Captured - do you remember this image or the man?
Page link: John King US Navy
John King US Navy
Congressional Medal of Honour - US Navy
Page link: John O'Connel's talk on Glebe Street, 6th, July, 2019
John O'Connel's talk on Glebe Street, 6th, July, 2019
Video recorded by John Gannon, The iClinic, Main Street, Ballinrobe
Page link: John O'Connor & Gerard O'Malley
John O'Connor & Gerard O'Malley
Passing time on Lough Mask
Page link: KATHLEEN KILBANE 1933-1947 Information Appeal
KATHLEEN KILBANE 1933-1947 Information Appeal
Ballinrobe/Creagh Sanatorium
Page link: Letter from Mary Cruise re Frank and John Looby
Letter from Mary Cruise re Frank and John Looby
My mother was Eileen Frawley and Martin Frawley (grandfather) was head constable in the RIC
Page link: Liam Horan - your local Reporter
Liam Horan - your local Reporter
Featuring work by local broadcaster and writer Liam Horan. In this our first audio clip Liam recalls his memories of 'Flat Out' and Ballinrobe Mart.
Page link: Lovely old photo of Ballinrobe Residents
Lovely old photo of Ballinrobe Residents
Abbey Street, Ballinrobe
Page link: Major Robert Francis Ruttledge, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Major Robert Francis Ruttledge, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Outstanding ornithologist and a founder of Irish Wildbird Conservancy
Page link: Maureen Dowd Pulitzer Prize Winner at Museum of Country Life, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Maureen Dowd Pulitzer Prize Winner at Museum of Country Life, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Civic reception in her honour by Mayo County Council
Page link: Moore Hall and the Moores of Moorehall
Moore Hall and the Moores of Moorehall
Only 5 miles from Ballinrobe
Page link: Mr. Gary Ansbro
Mr. Gary Ansbro
Launches new facilities at the Historic Green
Page link: Mr. Michael Grimes, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo with his donkey and cart
Mr. Michael Grimes, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo with his donkey and cart
Taken by Mary Pat Burke, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Page link: Mr. Miko Murphy RIP
Mr. Miko Murphy RIP
Ballinrobe & Kilmaine
Page link: Mrs. Bridie Mulloy of Ballinrobe
Mrs. Bridie Mulloy of Ballinrobe
Writer and Journalist
Page link: Murders in the Glen - The true story of the Maamtrasna Masssacre
Murders in the Glen - The true story of the Maamtrasna Masssacre
Transcribed from the "Evesdropper" by Mary Coyne - no date for original publication
Page link: Myles (Mylie) Burke, Paddy Moran, Tony Molloy and Bob Fox, Ballinrobe
Myles (Mylie) Burke, Paddy Moran, Tony Molloy and Bob Fox, Ballinrobe
Paddy Moran's pub on Cornmarket c. 1960s to early 70s.
Page link: Niall O'Dowd to visit Ballinrobe.
Niall O'Dowd to visit Ballinrobe.
Will we see him at the Ballinrobe Races?
Page link: O'Malley
O'Malley
Knocknacroagha
Page link: Old Ballinrobe - one man's memories
Old Ballinrobe - one man's memories
From c. 1966 - Glebe Steet, Abbey Street, Market House, Main Street, The nailmaker, Toothache powder, Bridge Street, High Street...
Page link: One Ballinrobe man
One Ballinrobe man "let go his fear and practices what he preaches"
Action speaks "louder than any words" particularly for this Ballinrobe man!
Page link: Orphan Girl by Brendan Graham
Orphan Girl by Brendan Graham
His Tribute to Ireland's Forgotten Girls
Page link: PADDY (Paddy Donnellan) Ballinrobe Historian and so much more
PADDY (Paddy Donnellan) Ballinrobe Historian and so much more
Remembered by many people.......... Extracted from The Bridge Magazine Christmas 1972
Page link: Pat McGovern - Interview
Pat McGovern - Interview
Chairman Ballinrobe Musical Society
Page link: People of Ballinrobe Who Died In the Blitz on England In Second World War
People of Ballinrobe Who Died In the Blitz on England In Second World War
By Noelene Beckett, Mayo Genealogical Group on Our Irish Heritage
Page link: Pursuant to the Sentence
Pursuant to the Sentence
Execution at Ballinrobe c 1765
Page link: Rick Lewis, Artist
Rick Lewis, Artist
Sculptor of the John King Memorial at Cornmarket, Ballinrobe
Page link: School Children c 1938/39
School Children c 1938/39
Convent of Mercy, Ballinrobe, County Mayo
Page link: Search for Thomas Walsh (1877-1922?) of Cloongowla, Ballinrobe
Search for Thomas Walsh (1877-1922?) of Cloongowla, Ballinrobe
Battle of Tourmakeady information please
Page link: Some things Never Change!
Some things Never Change!
Costello/McDermott celebrate 50 years in business in Ballinrobe
Page link: South Mayo Family Research Centre, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
South Mayo Family Research Centre, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Researching your family's history from around Ballinrobe and South Mayo?
Page link: Sticks for the Reek
Sticks for the Reek
Sticks sold on Bridge Street.
Page link: The Blacksmith/Farrier
The Blacksmith/Farrier
Ballinrobe had many Blacksmiths in the past...
Page link: The Browne - Miller Duel of 1748
The Browne - Miller Duel of 1748
At the outskirts of Kilmaine
Page link: The Gawleys & Flynns of Ballinrobe
The Gawleys & Flynns of Ballinrobe
Long association with Ballinrobe, County Mayo. Henry mentioned in : Ballinrobe and South Mayo's Fight for Freedom 1916
Page link: The Murder of Mrs. Canna, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, Ireland
The Murder of Mrs. Canna, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, Ireland
Hanging of 4 McHugh Brothers Peter, Patrick, James & Den is McHugh at Ballinrobe Jail - Affected lives: Mrs. Canna & daughter, Peter Canna, Patrick Hopkins, Cornelius O'Brien, James Caulfield
Page link: Thomas & Bridget Gibbons (nee Walsh)
Thomas & Bridget Gibbons (nee Walsh)
Possibly had a shop on Bridge Street, Ballinrobe
Page link: Thomas B. Leyden
Thomas B. Leyden
Grandfather Leyden: Native of Ballinrobe
Page link: Tourmakeady attack: four police dead, flight in the mountains
Tourmakeady attack: four police dead, flight in the mountains
Name Changes request: Extract from: The Mayoman, May 7th, 1921
Page link: Town Hall, Ballinrobe, waltz competition 1934
Town Hall, Ballinrobe, waltz competition 1934
Paddy Donnellan and Miss Mina McHugh were the winners
Page link: Tracing my mother's roots
Tracing my mother's roots
The Walsh Family
Page link: Trying to trace my Birth Mother
Trying to trace my Birth Mother
Any help much appreciated
Page link: Visiting poet Carmel Cullen shares some of her recent creations
Visiting poet Carmel Cullen shares some of her recent creations
Music and photographs enhance the essence of these poems - a special treat for you
Page link: Walsh Family, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Walsh Family, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
The Walsh's and Feeney's of Lough Mask Road
Page link: Writer & Singer Carmel Cullen
Writer & Singer Carmel Cullen
Performs songs & stories of the well-know Delia Murphy