Ballycong

Ballycong (Irish: Béal Átha Conga)[1] is a small townland southeast of Ballina, located between the River Moy and the Ox Mountains. Ballycong townland has an area of approximately 580 acres (0.91 sq mi),[2] and had a population of 28 people as of the 2011 census.[3]

Ballycong Lough lies to the west of the townland, and the village of Attymass to the east. The peat bogs that dominate the landscape of the area were the inspiration for a poem, entitled 'Ballycong', by Mark Wheatley.

Ballycong

Sweeping through the reed and heather of Ballycong bog,

Came the lonely breath of Rockall,

Chasing the sun over the mountains.

Tattered cuffs rolled back to reveal the position of the day,

And home we made with a trailer full of history.

On the brow of the hill was the distant light of home,

Chimney offering last years sun-dried gold into the night sky.

The old fella smiled as the wind filled his lungs,

For there's no better scent to warm a cool Atlantic breeze,

Than the burning away of the layers of time.