Balla

Balla, Co.Mayo, was an important block post between Claremorris and Castlebar on the Midland Great Western Railway's line to Westport. Although the station had closed to passengers in 1963, it controlled the junction at Manulla for the Ballina branch which was a few miles to the west. The Balla signal cabin worked the points at the junction, as well as the loop and sidings at Balla Station itself. Around 1988/89, Manulla Junction station was reopened and once again passengers transferred to the branch there, rather than at Claremorris when Balla was in use. Balla became redundant and its loop and sidings were removed. Today, Balla is derelict, but the station building and cabin survive intact. The goods shed however was demolished.
Passing the forlorn looking Balla Station in Co.Mayo is 201 Class loco No.217 which is heading the empty Ballina branch stock from Manulla Junction to Claremorris. Balla looking east towards Claremorris. The derelict station building is on the left, with the disused signal cabin on the right. The long platform on the the down side on was once a cattle loading bank. Looking west now towards Westport at Balla, showing the derelict station building and platform lamps. A wooden goods shed once stood on the right. Another view west towards Westport. The up platform is in good condition, compared to the down one. The buildings where maintained until the late 1980s when the loop was removed and Manulla Junction was reinstated.
The cast iron supports are still attached to the station building at Balla. The station remains derelict to this day. Closer view of the signal cabin at Balla Station. The cabin used to control the junction at Manulla untill the late 1980s, when that station reopened as the interchange for the Ballina branch line. Another view of the cabin, which was mainly wooden. Interestingly the bi-lingual Balla Station nameboard which once was mounted on the side of the structure is now preserved at the Hell's Kitchen pub at Castlerea.