Towns in Co Monaghan.

(Ford mouth of the birch tree.)

The town of Ballybay lies on the shores of Lough Major, this 200 acre lake is drained by the Dromore river, which flows through a valley forming a series of smaller lakes, each and the river itself affording many opportunities for some excellent coarse fishing.

Ballybay grew up in the middle of the eighteenth century when the linen industry was in its infancy in Ireland. This came about partly because of the Huguenot expulsions from France, these people settled in various countries, and brought with them their knowledge of growing and processing flax. The linen industry remained a significant contributor to the Irish economy until the middle years of the last century.