Ballymore in 1839

Ballymore is in the barony of Rathconrath, 15 miles from Mullingar, and 73 from Dublin.

There formerly existed here a monastery for Premonstratensian canons and Benedictine nuns, who occupied different portions of the same building. The church of this monastery was for a short time the cathedral church of the diocese of Meath.

In the civil war of 1641 Ballymore was a principal military station of the English; and in the war of the Revolution the Irish were posted here, until beaten from the town by General De Ginkel.

A garrison of a thousand men in Fort Ballymore, in an island of the neighbouring Lough Shodie or Seudie, surrendered themselves prisoners of war shortly after.

The town, which is partly in Killure parish, but chiefly in that of Ballymore, consisted, in 1831, of 121 houses, chiefly small houses or cabins, forming one long street.

There are a parish church and a Catholic chapel.

There was formerly a market, but it is now discontinued. There are two yearly fairs.

Petty-sessions are held, and the county constabulary have a station in the town.

Not far from the town is a round tower, the only remains of a castle, said to have belonged to the De Lacys.