Amazing changes in Ballyhaunis over the past three decades

by Johnny Mee

BALLYHAUNIS!

I use the exclamation mark to highlight the amazing changes that have taken place in the town over the past 30 years.

Ballyhaunis is the town in Ireland with the highest proportion of non-Irish at 37%.

This dramatic change hasn’t taken place overnight. It has been happening over the past 40 years or so.

The people of Ballyhaunis have shown themselves to be tolerant, understanding and welcoming. Indeed they have set an example for the rest of the country.

Many of the young non-nationals in Ballyhaunis have represented their adopted town with distinction in a number of sports.

Many of them also play active roles in school activities.

As I am referring to Ballyhaunis, I was privileged to be a work colleague of the late Mick O’Connell in The Connaught Telegraph for many years.

Mick was a fine journalist who worked extremely hard over the years to promote Gaelic football in Ballyhaunis.

He was a nephew of Tommy O’Connell, the only Mayo Labour Party candidate ever elected to Dáil Éireann.