Despite the fact that Ballina is currently on a high following the visit of US President Joe Biden and ongoing celebrations in the town for its year-long 300th anniversary - the actual existence of the town is being kept a secret by Mayo County Council - as there is little or no signposting telling people how to get there.
The charge was made by Cllr John O'Hara at this week's Ballina MD meeting, where he stated: "We are the biggest town in Mayo but Castlebar and Westport seem to be promoted one together while Ballina is kind of sidelined. You come into Castlebar and see a sign for Foxford and a sign for Swinford, but tourists coming in don’t see anything to do with Ballina and would not even know of it, only for the US President's visit.
"I am very surprised our council has let this happen, and basically left us out. People in Ballina are paying rates like all businesses and hotels in the county and we all depend on tourism. With the new N5 road now, most of the people go to Westport and there is not even a sign for Ballina. We are simply not recognised. Why is it that Mayo County Council won’t recognise what is the biggest town in the county?"
Cllr O'Hara added: "It is the same thing coming out of the airport at Knock. Our history shows that most of the emigration was from North Mayo, yet you don’t even seen a sign for Ballina. I am not running down Swinford or Foxford but surely you would put Ballina first.
"You come out of Dublin now and you see a sign for Westport straight away - but we seem to be lost down here. It's like being a sub on the team and it has to be put right. I want to see TII changing he signs." Cllr O' Hara was supported in his proposal by seconder, Cllr Jarlath Munnelly, and council colleagues.
