Ballycroy

Ballycroy is a village in Erris, County Mayo. The village was the location for the 1982 film ‘The Ballroom of Romance’ starring Oscar-winner, Brenda Fricker. The actual ballroom used in the film still exists, albeit in a derelict condition, and is located at Doona Cross, to the west of the village. Other locations such as Cleary’s Bar and Grocery were used in the film.

It is also home to the Ballycroy National Park. Established in 1998 it is Ireland’s sixth National Park. In 1937, Robert L. Praeger described the Ballycroy landscape in his book, ‘The Way That I Went’ (1937):

“Indeed the Nephinbeg range of mountains is I think the very loneliest place in this country, for the hills themselves are encircled by this vast area of trackless bog, I confess I find such a place not lonely or depressing but inspiriting. You are thrown at the same time back upon yourself and forward against the mystery and majesty of nature.”

Ballycroy was the setting for the filming of ‘The Ballroom of Romance’ (1981), starring Oscar-winner, Brenda Fricker. A large number of local people appeared as extras, and Cleary’s Bar and Grocery were used in the film.