Welcome to Ballinacree
Ballinacree lies in the northwest corner of County Meath, close to the borders of Cavan and Westmeath. It forms part of the united parish of Mountnugent and Ballinacree, a parish which crosses three county boundaries and is within the Diocese of Meath.
Despite this unusual mix of counties, the natives generally live in healthy harmony — except, perhaps, during the summer months when football fever is sometimes diagnosed!
Ballinacree Historical Society
Preserving the history, heritage and memories of Ballinacree since 1999
Ballinacree Historical Society was established in 1999 with the aim of collecting, preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Ballinacree and the surrounding area.
Over the years, members of the Society have built up a valuable local archive containing photographs, documents, school records, oral history interviews, family histories, stories and memories of local life.
Our meetings and activities have always been open to everyone with an interest in the history of the area.
One of the Society’s earliest major projects was Images of Ballinacree, an exhibition of photographs and documents illustrating life in the area during the twentieth century. The exhibitions generated great interest, particularly among people who had left Ballinacree and those overseas whose families originated here.
The Society has continued to share the collection through exhibitions, historical talks, publications including Stories from around Ballinacree, and material held in the Ballinacree Heritage Room.
The Ballinacree History Website
The Ballinacree History website was established in 2001, initially as a way of sharing material from the Society’s archive with people from Ballinacree living overseas and with descendants of local families around the world.
Since then, both the website and the archive have grown considerably.
Today, the collection includes photographs from the exhibitions of 2000, 2003 and 2006, local history articles, school roll books, family history material and interviews with older members of the community — some of whom are sadly no longer with us.
Over the past 25 years, the website has welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world. It has helped people rediscover old friends and neighbours, trace family connections and share stories and memories of Ballinacree.
The old photographs remain particularly popular, bringing back memories for those who once lived here while also giving today’s generation an opportunity to discover the people, places and everyday life of Ballinacree in earlier times.
Preserving Our Heritage for the Future
Our collection continues to grow as photographs, documents, stories and memories are generously shared with us.
We are always interested in hearing from anyone who has old photographs, documents, family stories, memories or information relating to Ballinacree and the surrounding area.
This website will continue to develop as more of the Society’s archive is preserved and made available online.
Please explore the site, enjoy the photographs and stories, and check back regularly as new material is added.
Get in Touch
We would be delighted to hear from you, whether you have information to share, a question about local history, or simply a memory of Ballinacree.
