Ballybay on Lough Major

Lough Major gives Ballybay a clear focal point: fishing, lakeside paths and a rich natural environment come together here. Families travelling with children will find various opportunities for exercise and breaks in the Town Park; bird enthusiasts can also explore the Wetlands Centre and Derryvalley Farm. When planning your holiday, it is therefore worth first considering which of these experiences you want to shape your stay.

Lough Major and the Wetland

Lough Major lies on the eastern edge of Ballybay and hosts international coarse fishing competitions. Anglers from outside the area also make extensive use of the lake. There are numerous access points for fishing, a surfaced lakeside road with passing places, angler paths, fishing stands and cleared fishing spots. These specific facilities make fishing a distinctive feature of a stay in Ballybay.

The lake is also designated a Proposed Natural Heritage Area and an Area of Secondary Amenity Value. The Wetlands Centre is recognised as a regionally important wetland for overwintering migratory birds. The species mentioned there include whooper swans and Siberian wigeons. The 65-acre Derryvalley Farm and the Wetlands Centre provide a year-round refuge for a wide variety of waterfowl, and a place where nature and wildlife can be studied and appreciated.

Town Park: exercise and time together

The Town Park lies on the shores of Lough Major. Its oval path runs for 0.5 km around a grassy area, with extended paths along the lakeshore. You can take a short loop around the green space or include the longer paths. The park offers families a range of activities: there is a football and basketball court, an outdoor gym, fishing stands and a grass bowling green. The inclusive playground is accessible to children with different abilities.

There are also specific places for a quieter break: the Town Park has designated picnic areas and accessible toilets, including facilities for visitors with disabilities. This combination of play, sport, fishing and picnicking can be balanced in different ways when planning your day, without everyone having to choose the same activity. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Ballybay, use your own priorities as a guide: are the park and lake your main focus, or would you like to centre your stay more on nature and birdlife?

Circular walk, local history and discovery

The Corbrack Lane Walk is a circular route with a climb and views over Ballybay. It offers a different way to experience the town from the paths in the Town Park: the climb and views over Ballybay are an explicit part of the walk’s character. EZxploring offers a self-guided tour of Ballybay. Those interested in architecture can also visit St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Monaghan Road, which is a protected structure. This historical and cultural perspective complements the activities at the lake and in the park.

That way, you can choose a holiday apartment or holiday home based on your interests, without making assumptions about specific accommodation features.

More places to explore

Discover the pages for Corkeeran, Tedavnet, Clontibret, Glaslough, Doohamlat, Carrickmacross, Lisnalong and Clones.

For the main travel guide: County Monaghan.