Ballinamallard
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![]() The Methodist church |
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Ballinamallard shown within Northern Ireland | |
Population | 1,340 (2001 Census) |
Irish grid reference | H260528 |
District | |
County | |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | ENNISKILLEN |
Postcode district | BT94 |
Dialling code | 028 |
EU Parliament | Northern Ireland |
UK Parliament | |
NI Assembly | |
Ballinamallard or Bellanamallard (from Irish Béal Átha na Mallacht, meaning "ford-mouth of the curses") is a small village and townland in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 1,340 people in the 2001 Census. It lies to the north of Enniskillen and is situated within Fermanagh and Omagh district.
The village has won several "best kept village" titles, and has a fountain to mark the honour. There has been only one local primary school: Ballinamallard Controlled Primary School, since the other, Shanmullagh Primary School, closed in August 2008.
About 450AD Magheracross said to have been founded by St Patrick and about 550 St Columba passed thorough Ballinamallard. The first records of the parish itself were in 1492 with Terence Macgillacossgli (Cosgrave) is recorded as vicar of Magheracross and Derrybrusk, Maghercross was at that time part of Derryvullen parish.
In 1500 two Maguire princes were ambushed by the O'Neills at Ballinamallard in their conflict and in 1539 the Original Magheracross church destroyed by fire
1593 saw the start of Hugh O'Neill's war that resulted in the Flight of the Earls in 1611. Following which Henry Folliot of Pyrton in Wiltshire, was granted the Manor of Drumchine (later Newporton) including 1,500 Irish acres through Magheracross parish. He built Castle Murray and imported tenants from the Scottish Borders between Dumfries and Carlisle who were fleeing the union of England and Scotland and the consequent pacification of the previously lawless area around Anglo-Scottish border under James I that was taking place at that time.