Ballinalee
ATTRACTIONS
MacEoin’s Forge
It was here that Seán MacEoin, and his father Andrew before him, worked at his trade as a blacksmith. The forge was a meeting place for everyone in the countryside round about Catholic and Protestant, Nationalist and Unionist. Customers included the local landed families, the Edgeworths of Kilshrewley, the Wilsons of Currygrane and the More O’Farrells of Lissard. Material for debate was provided by the land laws, home rule, Sinn Fein, the United Irish League, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Larkin and Connolly and the labour troubles in Dublin, the temperance movement and the Boer War. All issues were debated around the anvil.
Micheal Collins visited Seán MacEoin here and persuaded him to leave his work and to work for Ireland instead. MacEoin became more and more involved in the struggle for independence and went on the run. After the Battle of Ballinalee, the cottage and forge were set on fire by the Black and Tans. The forge survived and continued to be operated by Sean’s brother, Micheal. Over the years, it gradually became derelict. Restoration work on it was carried out by a FAS scheme for the centenary of MacEoin’s birth in 1993.
The Camlin River
“Where down in sleepy vales and moors, the Camlin waters flow”.
For thirty miles from where it rises near Granard to where its two branch distributaries enter the Shannon, the Camlin (Cam Líne, Crooked Line) is a natural boundary between north and south Longford. The Camlin enters the parish of Clonbroney from Clonfin Lough and meanders across the parish from east to west, a distance of ten miles. The Camlin is fed by the pocket river and numerous fast flowing streams from Corn Hill. The path of the Camlin River is clearly visible as a silvery line from the higher ground of the hill. Many underground passages in the limestone rock are thought to exist along the course of the river, such as the channel linking Gurteen Lake and the Camlin, and those located in ‘Fine Meadows’ in Esker.
Fishing in the Camlin is excellent. The river is easily accessible with fish such as pike, trout, bream and roach, swimming its water.
Gurteen Lake
Gurteen Lake is a small lake found just outside the village of Ballinalee. It is situated in the townlands of Gurteen and Gurteenrevagh. Gurteen Lake is a ‘bog lake’, and homes such fowl as snipe and swan. The lake is very popular with local fishing enthusiasts and provides a variety of coarse fish including pike and perch. The antlers and bones of red deer are often recovered from the lake. These artifacts are usually quite sound, having been preserved by the antiseptic properties of the bog water.
The waters from Gurteen Lake have no visible outlet. The surplus waters of the lake discharge by means of a natural sewer, into the River Camlin as it flows through the village. This ‘natural sewer’ is composed of cavernous passages in the limestone rock, which underlies the village.
The Seán Connolly GFC grounds overlook the lake, and in the future, a pitch ‘n’ putt course and tennis court will also overlook scenic Gurteen Lake.
Corbeagh Lake
Corbeagh Lake is a small lake in a secluded setting, located approximately three miles outside the village of Ballinalee. The lake is situated in the townland of Corbeagh or Cor Beith in Irish, which translates as ‘Round hill of the birch trees’. Corbeagh Lake also borders on the townlands of Drumeel and Currygrane. Corbeagh Lake could be described as “off the beaten track” and is a very tranquil and peaceful place. The lake has a very picturesque setting, it is surrounded by green fields and some small woodlands of mainly larch and birch trees. A smaller Lough is joined to the main body of the lake by a narrow neck of water, this small Lough is known as ‘Farrelley’s Lough’. Corbeagh Lake formed part of the estate of James Wilson, a JP and High Sheriff of Co Longford. A windmill was situated near the lake which pumped water to the plantation fields of this estate.
Corbeagh contains two small islands of artificial formation known as crannógs. These small islands are known as ‘Round Island’ and ‘Fry Island’. Despite its seclusion, Corbeagh Lake is very popular with fishermen. Coarse fishing competitions are held on the lake, and the fishing competitions are held on the lake, and the fish found there include pike, perch and some eel.
Brief History of the Area
The village of Ballinalee is situated on the Camlin River, in the Parish of Clonbroney. The name is derived from the Irish, “Béal Átha na Laogh” – the mouth of the ford of the calves.
Ballinalee was formerly called St Johnstown. St Johnstown was owned by Lord Granard. It was a plantation town, consisting of a borough and township and returned two members of parliament.
The history of Christianity in the parish dates to the tune of St Patrick. St Patrick himself appointed his ‘foster brother’ Guasacht as Bishop of Granard and together with the two St Emer’s, his foster sisters, founded the first convent in Ireland in an area presently known as Old Clonbroney.
After the Battle of Ballinamuck, the victorious English forces under Lord Cornwallis spent some time in Ballinalee. During this time over one hundred insurgent prisoners were executed here and buried in a graveyard now known as Bully’s Acre.
Ballinalee has gained prominence in this century as the birthplace of General Seán MacEoin, the legendary ‘Blacksmith of Ballinalee’. General MacEoin was a leader of the National Volunteers; North Longford Column. Seán MacEoin led a number of successful actions, principally the Battle of Ballinalee and the Clonfin Ambush. Seán MacEoin went on to have a long and distinguished political career.