History of Ballinalee.

Ballinalee was formerly called St Johnstown and was owned by Lord Granard. It was a plantation town, consisting of a borough and township, and returned two members of parliament. Through the ages the parish played its part in Irish history. Many people will be familiar with the story of General Sean Mc Eoin, the blacksmith of Ballinalee. The forge where he used to ply his trade, has been restored and a park is being developed around it. Ballinalee is steeped in history as far back as St. Patrick, who allegedly set up the first convent in clonbroney. The history of Christianity in the parish dates to the time of St Patrick. St Patrick himself appointed his foster brother Guasacht as Bishop of Granard and together with the two St Emers, his foster sisters, founded the first convent in Ireland in an area presently known as Old Clonbroney. After the Battle of Ballinamuck, the victorious English forces under Lord Cornwallis spent some time in Ballinalee. During this time over 100 insurgent prisoners were executed here and buried in a graveyard now known as Bullys Acre.  

Ballinalee has gained prominence in this century as the birthplace of General Seán Mac Eoin, the legendary Blacksmith of Ballinalee. General MacEoin was a leader of the National Volunteers; North Longford Column. Seán MacEoin led a number of successful actions, principally the Battle of Ballinalee and the Clonfin Ambush Seán MacEoin went on to have a long and distinguished political career. Ballinalee, will be forever associated with General Sean MacEoin, the Blacksmith of Ballinalee. Commander of the North Longford Flying Column of the IRA, MacEoin was to emerge as one of the heroes of the War of Independence. The forge where he used to work in more tranquil times can still be seen. After independence MacEoin enjoyed a long and successful political career, being a Dail deputy between 1929 and 1965 and holding the offices of Minister of Justice (1948-51) and Defence (1954-57). However, he was twice narrowly defeated for President, in 1945 by Sean T. OKelly and again in 1959 by Eamon De Valera. Further back in time Ballinalee was central to the tragedy of 1798. Following the defeat of the Irish and French forces at Ballinamuck, hundreds of prisoners were summarily executed here. The old graveyard where the bodies are buried is still referred to as Bullys Acre.