Ballasalla

Ballasalla grew up around nearby Rushen Abbey. The abbey was origianlly for monks of the Congregation of Savigny, but later came under Cistercian control.[2] The abbey was an important centre of knowledge and literacy on the Isle of Man and also of economic importance to the local area at it was also the site of a major annual market.[3] After the dissolution of the monasteries under King Henry VIII, the abbey was dissolved, fell into disrepair and was eventually ruined. Much of stonework from the original abbey structures were used in the construction of new buildings for the village of Ballasalla in the following centuries.[4]

Ballasalla was the site of a cotton mill in the late 18th century of which the ruins can still be seen today.[3] The mill was built by Deemster Thomas Moore (1726-1794) on his estate for his business partners Abraham Delapryme (variously written de la Pryme and Dalrymple) and Francis Wheelhouse. The mill's success came to an end with the introduction of new import duties from the Isle of Man into Britain.[5]

Pigot's Directory of the Isle of Man in 1837 described the village of Ballasalla at it was in the mid-19th century:

Ballasalla is a village of prepossing and respectable appearance, consisting of about one hundred houses; it is situate in the parish of Malew, nearly two miles north of Castletown, at the point where the Peel and Douglas roads separate. This is the largest and most English-looking village in their island; the roads in the vicinity are generally lined with neatly cut hedge-rows; and the country around being well sheltered with wood, and varied by gently-swelling eminences, the prospects, though not very extensive, are pleasing.[6]

For much of the history of Ballasalla, the community was primarily based around agriculture. In recent years many inhabitants of the village now commute daily to Castletown and Douglas or work at industrial estate at Balthane with local businesses including Athol Garage, sellers of motor vehicles, and Pooil Vaaish, dealing in slate, marble and monumental masonry.

The aviation industry has become an important source of employment for the village and the surrounding communities.[7] The headquarters of Citywing, the Isle of Man airline, was at Hangar 9 at Isle of Man Airport near Ballasalla.[8] The former Manx Airlines also had its head office at the Airport.[9]

The lowest-level local authority is Malew Parish Commissioners who are based in Ballasalla.[10] There are currently five commissioners. The day-to-day activities of the authority are run by the clerk, Mr Barry Powell.[11] The commissioners' offices are located on the main road of the village close to the Whitestone Inn.

The village has its own primary school, Ballasalla School.[12] After year six pupils generally attend Castle Rushen High School in Castletown.

The village has a pub, various shops, and a post office. A modern office development, Portland Court, occupies the former railway goods yard. This was sold off in 1985 for redevelopment, and the new station lies on the opposite side of the tracks.

Silverdale Glen

Ballasalla is the site of the mediaeval Monks' Bridge over the Silverburn river, which leads to the Manx National Heritage site of Rushen Abbey. This forms part of the Story Of Mann set of attractions established in 1989 and now part of an island-wide series of attractions. The abbey was extensively redeveloped as a heritage site in 1996 and again as an interactive museum in 2000.[1]

Also near the village is the Silverdale Glen, set amongst woodland. The recreation site consists of a small boating lake, café, sprawling playing fields and playground including a Victorian water-powered carousel. A wooded footpath alongside the Silverburn river runs between Rushen Abbey, the Monks' Bridge, and Silverdale Glen.

In a small hamlet above the village the eponymous St Mark's Fair is held annually on the third Saturday in July.[17]

The Millennium Way long distance footpath, opened in 1979, which begins at Castle Rushen and heads north towards Ramsey, runs through the village alongside the banks of the river, leading to Poulsom Park in Castletown to the south, and to St. Mark's above the village to the north.[18]

Malew football club play their home games at the Malew Football Ground, Clagh Vane and Ronaldsway play their home games at the Ronaldsway Aircraft Factory Fields. Both clubs compete in the Isle of Man Football League.

The village has an active residents' association, Ballasalla and District Residents Association (BADRA).[19]

Since 2010 the village has had a very popular Community Partnership set up with the involvement of the Isle of Man Government, outside agencies and local residents, with Graham Cregeen, now an MHK for Arbory, Castletown & Malew, as Chairman.[20]

• Malew Parish Commissioners website