Overview
The last pitched battle of the 1798 rebellion was fought and lost on the hillsides here on 8 September, and that day is still why most people come. Ballinamuck (Irish: Béal Átha na Muc, ‘the mouth of the pig’s ford’) is a village 15 km north of Longford town in the north-west of the county; its name comes from a folk tale about a black pig that rooted a trench from Armagh to Lough Gowna until a passer-by struck it with a stone. Around the battle the community has built a small visitor centre and four waymarked walks across rare raised bog, quiet lakes and farmland. If you want the history straight, start at the visitor centre, then walk Shanmullagh Hill to the monument marking Humbert’s surrender.
The Battle of Ballinamuck and local heritage
The Battle of Ballinamuck on 8 September 1798 was the final major engagement of the United Irishmen rebellion. General Jean-Joseph Humbert’s French contingent, joined by United Irishmen under General George Blake, had achieved early success at Castlebar in County Mayo but were eventually tracked down and surrounded by Crown forces under Lord Cornwallis. The French surrendered and were repatriated, while the Irish volunteers faced severe reprisals. Many were executed in the aftermath, with some buried at the nearby Croppy Graves and others at Bullys Acre in Ballinalee; Blake himself, hanged after the battle, lies in Toberpatrick Cemetery. The defeat effectively ended the rebellion and accelerated the push for the Act of Union in 1800.
The village preserves this legacy through several key sites:
- The 1798 Visitor Centre – in the former Royal Irish Constabulary barracks (built 1846). The building’s original towers were destroyed in 1920, but it was restored and officially opened as a visitor centre by President Mary McAleese in 1999. The free exhibition features eyewitness accounts, battle artefacts and detailed panels on the rebellion’s wider context, and a cannon linked to the battle stands outside.
- The Garden of Remembrance – established in 1998 on the site of the old courthouse to mark the battle’s bicentenary.
- Memorial Statue – a 1928 monument to a rebel pikeman stands in the village centre, alongside plaques and panels marking the battle’s progression.
- Pre-historic and Penal-era traces – the area holds ancient ringforts (liosanna), stone-age axe heads, and the Black Fort, which later housed a Mass Rock during the Penal Laws.
Walking trails and nature
The Ballinamuck Community Enterprise Group has developed four marked walks that combine history, bogland ecology and rural scenery. All routes are self-guided with clear waymarking. Closer to the centre, Leebeen Park has a lakeside loop, a playground and a fairy garden – the easy option with young children.
Edenmore Bog Walk
A 4.5 km loop taking roughly 60 minutes, this trail circles one of the Midlands’ finest raised bogs. Raised bogs are highly acidic, nutrient-poor ecosystems that are now rare across Europe. The centre of Edenmore Bog remains in relatively pristine condition and supports two rare moss species found only on high-quality peatland. The walk’s edges shift into woodland, grassland and wetland, good ground for birdwatching. Signage and pathways were comprehensively upgraded in summer 2024. Look for purple arrows on a yellow background. Dogs are welcome on a lead.
Shanmullagh Hill Walk
Covering 8 km over roughly two hours, this route starts at the car park beside the ‘98 Hall. The trail climbs to a monument marking General Humbert’s surrender and the nearby Croppy Graves, then follows quiet roads and bog tracks through Shanmullagh Bog. The terrain varies from tarred lanes to grassy tracks, a solid physical challenge with panoramic views over the surrounding townlands.
Kiltycreevagh Ramble
A compact 2.5 km circuit (around 50 minutes) beginning at the 1798 Inn. The path passes a small graveyard, climbs a hill with views over Clooncose Lake, and leads past the spot where General Blake and Gunner Magee were executed after the battle. Magee’s artillery crew famously seized a French cannon during the fighting, inflicting heavy casualties on Crown troops before their capture.
Lough Sallagh Walk
This 8 km loop starts at the ‘98 Bar and follows quiet country roads to Lough Sallagh. At the far side of the lake, look for a crannóg – an ancient man-made island used for defence and fishing. The route returns via a scenic lakeside road, ideal for a steady-paced country ramble.
Fishing and waterways
Within a 2 km radius of the village lie Lough Salach, Fearglas Lake and the Cloncoose Lakes, all well-stocked with pike, perch, bream, roach and rudd. Anglers heading further afield can reach Lough Gowna and the River Shannon, both known for coarse and game fishing. The Royal Canal also passes a short drive to the east near Abbeyshrule, with flat towpaths for walking, cycling and kayaking.
Community and events
Ballinamuck keeps a strong community focus through local groups and annual events. The Ballinamuck Olde Fair Day, held each summer, centres on Johnny’s Cottage – a 200-year-old building restored by volunteers and voted Longford’s Favourite Building in 2021. The fair features traditional cooking, butter-making demonstrations, storytelling and a biodiversity garden tour. The village is also twinned with Essert in France, a partnership forged during the 1998 bicentenary. September typically sees battle reenactments, guided talks and a local parade.
Practical information
Getting there
- By road: Ballinamuck is on the R198, 15 km north of Longford town. Clear signage directs visitors to trailheads and the visitor centre.
- By bus: Whartons Travel operates route 975 several times daily (not Sundays) linking Ballinamuck with Longford and Cavan; timetables vary, so check current times before travelling. Bus Éireann route 463 calls on Wednesdays. Longford railway station (Dublin–Sligo line) is the nearest rail link.
- Parking: free car parking at the ‘98 Hall, the 1798 Inn and the Edenmore Bog Walk trailhead.
Visitor centre and facilities
- Address: Ballinamuck Community Hall, Main St, Shanmullagh, Ballinamuck, Co. Longford
- Opening times: vary seasonally. Contact the centre ahead of your visit.
- Admission: free (donations welcomed).
- Contact: +353 87 961 3312 or ballinamuck.ie
- Accessibility: the visitor centre has level access. Trail routes involve uneven ground, bog tracks and some steep sections; sturdy footwear is recommended.
- Amenities: the ‘98 Bar and 1798 Inn serve meals and refreshments. Public toilets are at the visitor centre and ‘98 Bar car park. Brochures for all local walks can be collected at the Longford Tourism Office.
Nearby attractions
- Granard – a Norman motte and bailey, plus historic market town, 10 minutes north.
- Abbeyshrule – Royal Canal towpaths and heritage walks, 10 minutes east.
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre – Iron Age bog road and archaeology, 15 minutes south.
Time a summer trip for the Olde Fair Day at Johnny’s Cottage, or come in September for the battle commemorations. Either way, call the visitor centre first for its opening times and for advice on current bog conditions before you head out onto the trails.