BALLINALEE/CLONBRONEY
The Parish of Clonbroney is situated approx 8 miles NE of Longford town. The village of Ballinalee (formerly known as St. Johnstown) is midway between Longford and Granard on the R194. The parish consists of 13,200 acres and is borderes by the following parishes: Killoe, Edgeworthtown, Granard, Colmcille and Ballynamuck. There are 56 Townlands, some with very unusual names - France, Cavan and Leitrim.
There are several churches namely St James Clonbroney, Holy Trinity Ballinalee, St Johns Church of Ireland Ballinalee.
The name of the N.S. is Scoil Samhthann and is situated on the Granard Road.
The main source of employment is agriculture. there is a certain amount of employment in such varied industries as engineering, pig farming, building and forestry. Up to recently there was a creamery in the village. It was the first all electric creamery in Europe.
Through the ages the parish played its part in Irish history. Many people will be familiar with the story of General Sean Mc Eoin, the blacksmith of Ballinalee. The forge where he used to ply his trade, has been restored and a park is being developed around it. Ballinalee is steeped in history as far back as St. Patrick, who allegedly set up the first convent in clonbroney.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Old Clonbroney Convent and Churchyard founded by St Patrick around 728 Bully's Acre Ancient Graveyard dating back to 1763 Moatfarrell Ruins of church and graveyard St. James Church, Clonbroney Unique structural Design St. Johns Church, Ballinalee Church with distinctive features Presbyterian Church Ruins of Meeting House atLisrathagan Mote at Moatfarrell ?Ancient mote dating back to pre-Christian times Corbeagh and Gurteen Lakes places of beauty and for fishing Camlin River Flows through the Parish Mc Eoins Forge Refurbished forge open to the public PARISH ORGANISATIONS
Sean Connelly G.A.A. Club Caters for gaelic games in the parish Clonbroney Community Games Promotes various athletic events for individuals and teams of children upto 16 years of age Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show The second largest Conne,ara pony show in Ireland Ballinalee Tidy Towns Organises entry in the annual Tidy Towns competition Ballinalee/Killoe Gun Club Fox hunts, vermin control and wildlife conservation Ballinalee ICA Local branch Irish Country Women Assoc. Ballinalee IFA Local branch Irish Farmers Assoc. Ballinalee Foroige Local Youth organisation Parish Council Organises chuch affairs Ballinalee PTAA Local branch Pioneer Total Absistance Assoc. Ballinalee Branch Credit Union Local Credit Union branch Ballinalee Junior Activity Group Caters for children 8-14 O'Reilly School of Dancing Irish dancing for children PARISH FACILITIES
Sean Connelly G.A.A. Complex France Road playing fields. Pitch and Putt course and tennis courts planned for this year Thomas Ashe Memorial Hall Granard Road. oncert area, badminton court and meeting room Currycahill Community Centre Ballinalee village. Concert area and meeting room Ballinalee Health Centre Local health centre Ballinalee FAS office Venue for scheme administration, Credit Union etc