The Banshee mourns the Death of Balla Railway Station

This article was found recently, we think its ca. 1989.  It tells the story of Balla Train Station and it’s importance to the local economy told from the point of view of local man Fred (Freddie) Blanchfield.

Freddie remembers a time when many people queued at the ticket office to buy their one-way ticket to England, America or Australia. He remembers the crying and heartbreak as families and friends said goodbye “knowing fine-well this would be the last time they would be seen”.

He also remembers happy times waiting at the platform with his grandmother on holidays or waiting for a family to come on holiday.

“I felt so happy, I thought everyone at the station felt the same way”

“there was no trouble getting to the station as a pony and sidecar from McEllens Hotel met the trains three times a day”.

“I remember, as a young lad, the girls coming from St. Louis convent, the glum look on their faces but how different they looked when they were heading back”